
Class V&% 9 
Book T&X\$ 



TOPEKA 



Pen and Camera Sketches. 



Miss Mary E. Jackson, 

Author of "Spy of Osawatomie" and other works. 



TOPEKA, KANSAS: 

GEO. W. CRANE & CO., PRINTERS AND BINDERS. 
189O. 






Copyright, 1890, by Mary E. Jackson. 



IV.fof 



iL 




POST OFFICE. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



The idea of preparing this volume for the public was suggested 
by the many tourists and visitors to our city, met in the Rapid 
Transit cars as I daily went to Oakland and Potwin Place in the 
capacity of a music teacher. The various questions asked the pas- 
sengers and conductors in regard to our city by those visitin°- here 
who seemed desirous of obtaining so much more information than 
could be given them in a few moments' ride, inspired the author 
to prepare a volume which would give strangers some idea of our 
city's history, its population, and some of its views. 

In the historical and biographical sketches the truth has been 
strictly adhered to, and records have been carefully traced for cor- 
rect dates, etc. The miscellaneous poems and stories are written 
at random, but are all in some way connected with the early his- 
tory of our State and city. 

To Revs. Hayden and Knox, Maj. T. J. Anderson, and Messrs. 
F. G. Trestrail, N. D. McGinley and Lee Jones, I most sincerely 
desire to return thanks for their assistance in getting a complete 
roster of the officers of the various organizations in the city. 

To the conductors and motorneers of the Rapid Transit Rail- 
way, are due the most heartfelt thanks of the author for the in- 
terest they have taken and the encouragement given this work. 

The photographic views were furnished by Mr. W. F. Farrow, 
who took great pains in selecting them for this volume. 

I have endeavored, in placing this book before the public, to 
give to strangers some knowledge of our " Golden City," and to 
present something of interest to our own citizens as well. 

Topeka, Kas., January, 1S90. J - 



DEDICATED TO 

MISS ALICE N. BLOOD. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE. 

Introduction 5 

Dedication 6 

Con tents 7 

The ' ' Sunflower ' ' State 9 

Topeka as it Was II 

Topeka as it Is 17 

Topeka Paragraphs 18 

Oakland 24 

Potwin Place 26 

Highland Park 27 

Quinton Heights 27 

Crossing the Kaw 29 

The Bridge Opened 31 

The Episcopal Church 32 

Address of Bishop Thomas: Eulogy on Bishop Vail 35 

Episcopal Endowment 38 

College of the Sisters of Bethany 38 

Kansas Theological School 41 

Christ's Hospital 41 

First Methodist Episcopal Church 46 

First Congregational Church 50 

First Baptist Church 52 

First Presbyterian Church 53 

Catholic Church 56 

North Congregational Church 60 

United Presbyterian Church 60 

German Methodist Episcopal Church 60 

Unity Church 61 

Swedenborgian Church 61 

English Lutheran Church 62 

Society of Spi ritualists 62 

Young Women's Christian Association 63 

The State House 65 

Kansas Historical Society 67 

Topeka Free Library 73 

State Reform School 76 

Public Schools 77 

College of the Sisters of Bethany 82 

Washburn College 83 

Ingleside 90 



8 CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Topeka Orphans' Home 91 

Fire Department 92 

Rapid Transit Street Railway 94 

00 

01 
02 
04 

°S 
06 
09 



The Copeland Hotel 

Hotel Throop 

Marshall's Military Band 

The Sunflower Band 

The Modocs 

Lincoln Post, No. 1, G. A. R..-. 

Lincoln Post Flambeau Club 

Democratic Flambeau Club 

Republican Flambeau Club 

Catholic Young Men's Association 

Diocesan Mutual Insurance Union 

Catholic Mutual Benefit Association 

Ancient Order of Hibernians 

Juvenile Society 

Dr. F. L. Crane 

Col. John Ritchie 

Col. N. S. Goss 

Hon. John Francis 

Mayor R. L. Cofran 

Joseph Bromich 

F. P. Baker 

W. H. Butterfield 

Harry Hayden 

Rev. John A. Steele 

James W. Steele 

Major J. K. Hudson 

Father O'Reilly: Eulogy by Dean Hayden. 

Kossuth to Hulseman 

Myra 

The Golden City: A Vision 

Quintillian Castle 

Famora 

The Pathfinder 

The Marais des Cygnes 

The Prairie Lark 

Our Neighbor's Boy 

My Gem 

The Old Year's Warning 

The Snow Angel 

Indianola' s Bride 

Thou hast Left our Home Desolate 

The Widow of Wakarusa 

Mexico's Ex-President 

Miss Nettie Cobean 

Ethel Moore 



THE "SUNFLOWER" STATE. 



The Kansas-Nebraska act was signed May 30, 1854; it became 
a law; the Missouri compromise was repealed, and from the great 
lakes on the north to the Gulf of Mexico, from the Atlantic 
to the Pacific ocean, all eyes were turned to that Territory — a 
Territory opened for settlers, a Territory of broad, rolling prairies, 
interspersed with beautiful groves, and rippling streams of clear 
water flowing through its entire length, the prairies covered with 
beautiful wild flowers of the most fragrant odors, while the groves, 
too, had their wild flora, and song birds of gorgeous plumage 
flitted among the wild jasmine and luxuriant growth of wild roses. 
These made a Kansas grove as attractive as an Eastern park. The 
tall, dark green grass, waving before the constant summer breeze, 
was another charm for the lover of nature. Travelers and adven- 
turers never tired of the scenery of the Kansas plains. Coronado, 
in 1 541-2, made entries in his journal, as he passed through this 
latitude and longitude, of its grandeur; Du Tissennet, the French 
explorer, in 17 19, did the same; General Pike, in 1806, devoted 
page after page to descriptions of the vast prairies and varied 
scenery of the western territory he was passing through. With 
all these descriptions, Washington Irving comes to the front with 
his "Tours on the Prairies," in 1832, when he passed down the 
Kansas border. Why, then, with such favorable notices, should 
not the eyes of public-spirited men, men of means and enterprise, 
be turned to the most delightful country for homes, for business of 
all kinds? What was then "The Garden of the West" has not 
changed by the thirty-five years of its settlement. Kansas has not 
only attracted notice of her own nation, but the oldest nations 
on the earth are saying, "Kansas is one of the most enterprising 
places on the globe." France, Germany, Scotland, and other coun- 
tries, send to us for full particulars of the electric railway — the 
largest in the world — situated in the city of Topeka; Russia sends 

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IO TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

to Kansas for copies of her temperance law ; and some of the South 
American States, for details as to our free-school system. Elas not 
the Kansan a right to proclaim aloud? She has a bright record, 
and still boldly goes forward every year. 



TOPEKA AS IT WAS. 



Of the most important events in the settlement of Kansas, were 
the founding of her cities. Eighteen hundred and fifty-four was 
the birth year of four of our most thriving cities. Atchison and 
Leavenworth were founded by Pro-Slavery men; Lawrence and 
Topeka by the bold and upright Free-State men, who came west 
to make Kansas their home, and a home it has been of the better 
class of citizens; the home of free schools, temperance organiza- 
tions, literary societies, churches, manufactories, banks, but not the 
home of the saloons. With these principles in view, Lawrence 
and Topeka were selected by the agents of the New England 
Emigrant Aid Society. 

Early in October, 1854, C. K. Holliday left the town of Law- 
rence, Kansas, which had been founded a few months before, and 
came up the Kansas river in search of another location suitable for 
a town, for a large train of emigrants about to start for Kansas 
from the East. Accompanied by Dr. Charles Robinson, they 
wended their way along the Kansas river, through tangled brush 
and high prairie grass, until they came upon the present site of 
Topeka. Mr. Holliday was well pleased with the country, and 
there and then decided to locate his town. 

November 20th, Messrs. Enoch Chase, M. C. Dickey, George 
Davis and Jacob Chase arrived in Lawrence, and after remaining 
a few days, they started out to locate farms for themselves, and 
also select a location for a town. Dr. Robinson informed them of 
the selection that had been made by himself and C. K. Holliday, 
and assured them he would assist them by sending emigrants to 
the place they should select for a town. They arrived on the 
present site of Topeka, November 29th, and decided to locate, 
each man selecting a claim of a quarter section of land. 

There were no Pullman coaches, upholstered reclining chairs, 
nor smoking cars, in which the traveler can rest as comfortably as at 

(u) 



12 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

home, while he gazes out on the scenery of the country he is pass- 
ing through. No; the Eastern emigrants could ride on the cars 
only as far as St. Louis, and then take a little boat, scarcely larger 
than a hen coop, and slowly wend their way up the muddy Mis- 
souri river to Kansas City, where they were landed. Then came 
the difficulty of getting away from that town, which was head- 
quarters for the Pro-Slavery factions of those days. 

It was on one of these boats, the "Lenora," that some of our 
pioneer Topekans arrived on the Kansas border, in 1S54. These 
were Daniel Home, Fry W. Giles, T. J. Thornton, Timothy Mc- 
Intire, J. E. Greenwood, George F. Crow, Wm. C. Lenicar, L. G. 
Cleveland and S. A. Clark. There being no stages nor railway to 
bring them to Lawrence, they walked through from Kansas City, 
arriving there December 2d. Messrs. Home, Giles, Cleveland and 
Clark started out Monday morning, December 4th, to select their 
claims, and establish themselves as citizens of the new Territory. 
Taking the advice of Dr. Robinson and Mr. Holliday, they left 
Lawrence for the new location up the river, accompanied by Mr. 
Holliday. They arrived that evening at their destination, and 
found the other four settlers on claims, putting up their cabins. 
One log house stood near the river, on what is now Kansas avenue 
and First street. It was not completed, but served as a shelter for 
those nine men that night. Rolled up in blankets, they laid down 
on the dirt floor, covered with a natural growth of prairie grass, 
and slept well. But the next night proved to be one that they 
will long remember. They were aroused from their drowsy 
slumber by the startling cry of "Fire!" Yes, sure enough, the 
fire built in the open fireplace had caught the tall prairie grass, 
and soon the entire roof was falling in, leaving the walls standing. 
The men took refuge in a small tent for the remainder of the 
night, and the next day the work of reconstruction began. Thus, 
on December 5th, 1S54, was the first fire in Topeka. 

Early in the morning Mr. Home made a careful examination of 
the proposed town site, and reported favorably. The nine gentle- 
men, who had met for the first time the night before, assembled 
there on the prairie, and choosing C. K. Holliday as chairman of 
the meeting, proceeded to organize a town company and survey 
the new town. 

Why was it so, that there and then those men made a resolve 
that their town should be the capital of the State, and should rival 



TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



13 



the capital of the United States in heauty and magnificence? 
What brought such ideas to those few men? Was it the clear 
sky, and the refreshing breezes blowing over the prairies, with no 
snow under foot? 

The articles of agreement were drawn up, by which the town 
company was to be confined to fifty members. The town site was 
divided into one hundred shares, each member of the company to 
receive one share, the remainder to be reserved for future settlers. 
The first settlers of a few days relinquished their claims and moved 
further on, adjoining the town. C. K. Holliday was chosen presi- 
dent of the town association. The names enrolled on the contract 
were: C. K. Holliday, F. W. Giles, D. H. Home, George Davis, 
Enoch Chase, J. B. Chase, M. C. Dickey and L. G. Cleveland. 
Dr. Robinson was a member, but held his citizenship at Lawrence. 
He returned on Tuesday to Lawrence, and carried orders for the 
remainder of the party to assemble at the new town, then not 
named. The limits of the new city were two miles east and west 
along the banks of the Kansas river, and one and one-half miles 
north and south upon the prairie. It was surveyed by Mr. Searle, 
of Lawrence, into lots 75 by 150 feet. This survey included a 
levee, to be 130 feet wide. Four of the principal avenues each 
way, crossing transversely, were the same width, and the remainder 
of the streets 80 to 100 feet wide. 

A meeting was held on New Year's day, 1855, nearly a month 
after the town was founded, to select a name. The entire evening 
was spent in discussing some suitable name, but no satisfactory re- 
sult was reached. On the evening of January 2d the subject was 
again brought up, and Mr. F. W. Giles suggested the word To- 
peka, an Indian word he had heard pronounced. At that time the 
meaning was not known, but it since proves to be a sentence of 
the Indian language, "a good place to dig potatoes." Some give 
the meaning of the word, "wild potatoes." 

The second house built in Topeka was a sod house, by Messrs. 
Home and Cleveland, which they occupied during the winter. It 
was on Topeka avenue and First street. 

In January, C. K. Holliday and L. G. Cleveland made a visit to 
Kansas City to bring a saw mill and large steam engine which the 
New England Emigrant Aid Society had sent. The mill was put 
up and ready for use in the spring. 

During the winter about thirty persons were added to the as- 



14 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

sociation, among whom were several ladies, Mrs. F. J. Chase 
being the first. She joined her husband, who had built a log 
house, with a blacksmith shop in the rear, in which they resided. 
Many cabins were put up before spring, among them being a 
board shanty by A. W. Moore, which was used for a boarding 
house. 

A post office was established in March, and F. W. Giles ap 
pointed postmaster. 

On the 2 1st of March, the first church in Topeka was established 
bv the Methodists, with Rev. A. Still, presiding elder, J. S. Grif- 
fing, pastor, F. J. Chase, class leader, and H. H. Wentworth, 
Sunday school superintendent. The first religious service of that 
organization was held in a grove on the bank of the Kansas river, 
but the first sermon preached in Topeka was by Rev. S. Y. Lum, 
who had been commissioned in August, 1S54, as a Congregational 
missionary. He preached several times in the new town during 
the winter of 1S54-5. 

Early in the spring of 1S55 the emigrants came in rapidly, and 
all was bright for the new town. Another boarding house -was 
opened, called the "Pioneer" hotel, built by Minirm and Zim- 
merman; it was nearly opposite where the Shawnee Mills now 
stand. 

In April, J. T. Jones opened a store on Kansas avenue, between 
Second and Third streets, and J. C. Miller commenced making 
tinware under a tree near the foot of Kansas avenue. Mr. Miller 
was the first to build a brick house in the city, which was near the 
corner of Kansas avenue and Sixth street, now used by Drs. Mul- 
vane and Munk for their offices. R. L. Mitchell started a cabinet 
shop on the northwest corner of Sixth and Harrison streets. Mr. 
Home had a brick yard out of town, and made the first brick for 
the town. The first sawed lumber was brought in from Lawrence 
by C. K. Holliday. 

The first marriage in Topeka was that of S. J. Thomas and 
Harriet X. Hurd, and the first death, a son of Mr. Scales, which 
occurred May 30, 1S55. 

In April, 1S55, the Farnsworth brothers began to erect a large 
stone building on the west side of Kansas avenue, between Fourth 
and Fifth streets. It was a substantial two-story building, with a 
basement. They erected it to put in a large stock of goods, but 
soon after completion was used by the Legislature, and known as 



TOPE K A PEN AX D CAMERA SKETCHES. I 5 

"Constitution Hall." The next to occupy it was Win. W. Ross, 
who moved in and started a printing office early in the fall. 

The first newspaper published in Topeka was the Kansas Free- 
man, the first number appearing July 4, 1855. It was printed on 
the open prairie, no office yet being ready. The size of the Kan- 
sas Free?nan was eight by twelve inches, three columns to a page, 
and sold at two cents a copy. It was published by E. C. K. Gar- 
vey. 

The first picnic and May party in Topeka, was on the 17th of 
May, 1S55. The settlers all gathered in a grove on the banks of 
the Kaw on that day, and spent one of the happiest days they had 
ever enjoyed in the West. 

During the last week of May, 1S55, the first steamboat of the 
season, the "Emma Harmon," arrived at the levee, which was 
where the foot of Quincy street is now. 

July 4, 1S55, the citizens of Topeka held their first temperance 
meeting, and there and then declared that temperance should pre- 
. ail, and the greater number of that little band have lived to see 
the fruits of the harvest sown in the springtime of their living in 
Topeka. A monument should be erected to the memory of those 
noble men. The citizens of Kansas should not forget those heroes. 
"Here, as up yonder, they must be remembered by what they have 
done." 

On the evening of May 14, 1S55, a meeting of the citizens was 
held at the boarding house of A. YV. Moore, to consult as to the 
best method for preventing the sale of intoxicating liquors in the 
new town. Capt. C. X. Grow was chosen chairman, and Dr. 
Meriam, secretary. Dr. Martin and Capt. Sanford Henry urged 
the necessity of adopting decisive measures at once to stop the 
evil there and then, and that a committee to draft resolutions be 
appointed. Messrs. Dyer, Ritchie and Emerson were appointed, 
and the following preamble and resolution were reported: 

"Whereas, We, the citizens of Topeka, believe the sale of ardent spirits as a 
beverage to be pernicious to the community, an unmitigated evil, producing de- 
bauchery and disorder on the Sabbath, corrupting the morals and disturbing the 
peace, injuring the reputation and hindering the prosperity and growth of the place; 
and 

"Whereas, The Topeka Association have prohibited the sale of ardent spirits, as 
«| a right to do, upon lots by them donated, and as proofs are abundant that 
. ^^izens is violating the arrangement by selling whisky, not only to the 
■ to the Indians: therefore, 



I 6 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

"Resolved, That we, the citizens of Topeka, do hereby pledge ourselves to stand 
by each other in the enforcement of the above prohibitio- , peaceably if we can, 
forcibly if we must, and that in broad daylight." 

It was then voted that a committee, Messrs. Irish, Weymouth 
and Whitney, be requested to wait upon Mr. J. F. Jones, and in- 
form him of the action of the meeting, and present b » copy of 
the above resolutions. 

Messrs. Stratton, Meriam and Adams were appointed a com- 
mittee to draft a constitution and by-laws for a temper mce league, 
and the meeting adjourned to meet in one week. 

Time went on, and nothing was accomplished by talking to 
Jones. On July 4th, the citizens met out on the high prairie, 
and there vowed that the groggery should be closed by force. 
Marching down to the spot, they made known their business to 
the proprietor, and demanded his stock. He hesitated, and at last 
compromised by the citizens paying him a certain sum. 
rels were rolled out, and the heads burst in. In a few - 

large bonfire was lighting up the entire town, and mak 
the most useful fireworks displays ever exhibited in To} ek'a. t 

The next liquor spilling occurred on July 11,1857. Over $1,50- 
worth was poured out in the streets. There had been a ten 
ance union formed by the business men of the town, and '« 
determined to live up to the measures first adopted by 
town company. The names signed were: J. W. Farnswori. 
C. Twichell, E. C. K. Garvey, Walter Oakley, J. Willets, J. 
Allen, D. M. Thornton, Enoch Chase, L. W. Allen, and Gordon 
& Bro. The president of the union was H. W. Farnsworth; vice 
president, A. F. Whitney; secretary and treasurer, J. F. Cum- 
mings. They held their meetings for several months. 

Gradually the saloons crowded in, and at the close of i 
1 884, one hundred saloons were running in the once ten 
city. Drunken men swarmed on the streets, and their i 
went hungry and in need of clothes. 

To-day, again, not a saloon is to be found. They are all gc 
A drunken man is now a rare object. A few men are occasion; 
found, and heavily fined, who peddle whisky and other into 
by the drink or bottle. These petty criminals are known 
leggers." A meeting at the Grand Opera House agf. j» ;! » 

sion of the prohibitory amendment to a vote of the p 

10, 18S9, is proof enough that prohibition will sti 

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TOPEKA AS IT IS. 



Wonderful growth and development have been shown by this 
healthy child of the plains, from the day of its christening, thirty- 
five years ago, by the nine original town-site owners. To these 
men is due much of the direct credit of Topeka's popularity even 
now, for it was they who planned her broad streets and avenues 
in the original survey, and which, finely paved, are now the pride 
of the capital city's people, and the envy of some of the largest 
cities in the land. Handsome parking upon either side of all resi- 
dence streets adds greatly to her attractive appearance. Unsur- 
passed as a location for manufacturing, Topeka is nevertheless re- 
markably clean, and looks bright and new as compared with many 
less favorably situated cities surrounded by bluffs and hills, which 
will not permit smoke and smut to be carried away by the winds. 

The enumeration of inhabitants at the beginning of the present 
year (1890) places the population at 50,000 souls. That it is an 
intellectual city, it is but necessary to point to its grand public- 
school system, its colleges, churches, fine residences and business 
blocks, and the absence of the source of all crime, the saloon. It 
is pre-eminently the most temperate city in the world for its size. 
As a commercial center it is rapidly forging to the front, being 
headquarters for one of the largest railway systems in the world — 
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the Chicago, Rock Island 
& Pacific Railway also makes Topeka its western headquarters. 
The Missouri Pacific and Union Pacific go to make up the best 
possible system of transportation facilities. The milling interests 
are a prominent feature, and Topeka flour finds the quickest mar- 
ket in Europe to-day. 

Among the leading hotels are the Throop, Copeland, National, 
Fifth Avenue and Chesterfield, while the first-class boarding houses 
are numerous, some of them surpassing the ordinary hotels in style 
and the quality of dishes served. 

-2 (17) 



I 8 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

For street railways, no city surpasses Topeka. Nearly fifty miles 
of street railway traverse all parts of the city. 

The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, with its thousands 
* of miles of main and auxiliary lines, has Topeka for its head- 
quarters. It is to the exertion and untiring activity of Mr. C. K. 
Holliday that Topeka is indebted for this world-renowned road. 
x With the aid of D. L. Lakin, Jacob Safford, and a few other promi- 
nent citizens of Topeka, and Hon. S. C. Pomeroy, Mr. Holliday 
brought this road to Topeka, in 1868. The Union Pacific, Mis- 
souri Pacific and Rock Island systems also give Topeka direct 
communication with all parts of this continent, and bring tourists 
every day to see the prosperous city of the West. Where only a 
few years ago was tall prairie grass, and the Indians hunted and 
fished on the banks of the river, and built their fires for war 
dances, now the banks of the Kaw are illuminated by gas and 
electric lights, the poor Indian has moved on towards the south, 
leaving the "place to dig potatoes" for the pale face to sow, and 
reap a richer harvest than they had sown. 

The succeeding pages of this book will convince the reader of 
the truth of the assertions made above, and show that for educa- 
tional, social and business advantages Topeka affords the best to 
be found in the West. 



TOPEKA PARAGRAPHS. 

The city of conventions. 
North Topeka was first called Eugene. 
Miss Sarah Harland taught the first school. 
C. K. Holliday was the first mayor, in 1857. 
The city was incorporated February 14, 1857. 
Topeka has the best musical talent in the West. 
The Sixth avenue viaduct was completed in 1889. 
In 1885, the Topeka Business College was founded. 
F. W. Giles was first postmaster and first banker in Topeka. 
The land Topeka is built on was part of the "Wyandotte float." 
The value of the manufactured products in 1889 was $3,370,777. 
Topeka has the lead in the temperance movement of the world. 
The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad shops were opened 
August 12, 1878. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 1 9 

The value of all public buildings in the city is $4,520,000, in- 
cluding the State House. 

In November, 1855, John Speer moved the Kansas Tribune 
from Lawrence to Topeka. 

The Shawnee Mills were purchased by Shellabarger & Gris- 
wold, the present owners, in 1S71. 

The first real estate office was kept at the Topeka House, by 
Asaph Allen and Harris Stratton. 

During the year 1889, the oldest groom obtaining license was 
106 years of age, the youngest 19 years. 

The last steamboat that came up from Kansas City was the 
"Kansan Valley," on the iSth of April, 1861. 

The editor of the first newspaper, E. C. K. Garvey, came from 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Topeka, June 5, 1855. 

The first brick block built in Topeka was the "Ritchie Block," 
southeast corner of Kansas avenue and Sixth street. 

Eugene (North Topeka) was annexed in 1S67, April 9. It was 
established as a station on 'the Union Pacific Railroad in 1865. 

There are now only three of Old John Brown's men living in 
the city: Thos. Archer, Major Scudder and John Armstrong. 

When the city was incorporated there were four physicians, one 
newspaper and two hotels — Topeka House and Garvey House. 

The first telegraphic communication received in Topeka was on 
the 15th day of November, 1865, over the lines of the Union Pa- 
cific Railway. 

The first sidewalks in the city were built in 1863. They were 
made of oak lumber, and laid on Kansas avenue, between Fourth 
and Seventh streets. 

A charter was granted Christ's Hospital in 1882. President, 
Rt. Rev. Thomas H. Vail; John R. Mulvane, treasurer; and D. 
W. Nellis, secretary. 

The Rock Island system, which has its general headquarters in 
Topeka, constructed more miles of road during the year 1S8S than 
any other road in the West. 

C. K. Holliday and F. W. Giles are the only residents of the city 
who were of those nine strangers who met December 4, 1855, on 
the present site of Topeka, and located the town. 

The Legislature of 1875 made an appropriation of $25,000 to 
build the insane asylum near Topeka. It was opened four years 
inter, under the management of Dr. B. D. Eastman. 



20 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

The first brick made on the town site was in 1856. The yard 
was situated between Jackson and Van Buren streets, north of 
First street, Mr. G. G. Gage being the manufacturer. 

The first money paid by the city of Topeka was for public work: 
$500 towards the cost of construction of a wagon road from Topeka 
to Pike's Peak, during the gold fever excitement in 1S59. 

The first senator elected from Shawnee county, after the Wyan- 
dotte convention, was H. W. Farnsworth, and the first representa- 
tives were W. E. Bowker, H. W. Curtis and John E. Moore. 

The first grist mill was put in operation in December, 1856, in 
connection with a saw mill, Abel Merrill, H. W. Farnsworth and 
S. T. Walkley, proprietors, the site being on Kansas avenue and 
First street. 

There are now thirty-one miles of water mains, and 280 double 
hydrants for fire protection. The original cost of the Holly water 
system was $500,000. The number of gallons now consumed 
daily is 1,500,000. 

The first dramatic representation given in Topeka was on April 
2, 1858. The play was "The Drunkard," and was presented at 
Museum Hall, in Ritchie's Block, at the southeast corner of Kan- 
sas avenue and Sixth street. 

The stone building on the corner of Tenth and Jackson streets, 
now used as a public school building, was built for Washburn Col- 
lege, then known as Lincoln College. The sum paid for the prop- 
erty by the city was $15,000. 

Crawford's Opera House is the successor of the old Costa Opera 
House, remodeled by L. M. Crawford in 1880, and destroyed by 
fire December 2d of the same year. The present house was im- 
mediately built upon the old site. 

In 1888, the first State convention of Republican clubs met in 
Topeka, March 28. Ex-Governor Thomas A. Osborn was elected 
chairman, and Hon. J. G. Slonecker was made president of the 
league. Over 150 clubs were represented. 

J. B. Billard, of North Topeka, was one of the brave youths 
who assisted Old John Brown when in Kansas. Mr. Billard, 
though just a boy then, often carried Brown and his men across 
the river in his skiff during the early troubles. 

The Grand Opera House was erected by a stock company in 
1881, and it was opened to the public in September, 1S82. This 
is the largest and best proportioned theater in the State, having a 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 21 

stage of about equal capacity of any in the country, and seating 
1,500 persons. 

It was in June, 18S1, that the first street cars were put on the 
streets of Topeka. The first line, two miles, extended from Fifth 
street to the Union Pacific Railroad, and also a branch to the Santa 
Fe depot. Jesse Shaw was superintendent of the city railway for 
a number of years. 

The first instance of a marriage in Topeka being solemnized by 
a lady was the marriage of Geo. W. Crane and Miss Ella Rain, 
by Mrs. H. T. Thomas, lecturer to the First Society of Spiritual- 
ists, on the 15th of June, 1870, at the residence of the bride's pa- 
rents, Mr. and Mrs. S. Rain. Mr. Crane was then one of the 
proprietors of the Comwonzvea/t/i, with Col. Prouty. 

The Kansas State Fair Association was organized in 1870, with 
a capital of $10,000, most of which was owned by citizens of To- 
peka and Shawnee county. The first fair or exhibition held was 
in the fall of 18S1. Hon. T. C. Henry, formerly of Abilene, now 
of Denver, Colorado, was the first president. The grounds and 
improvements, lying south of the city limits, are valued at $150,000- 

The first three-story building in the city was located on the ~ 
northeast corner of Kansas avenue and Fifth street, and erected 
by Rev. Walter Oakley for a hotel, known as the Topeka House. 
It was built during the winter of 1856, and was the most com- 
modious building in the town at that time. It was destroyed by 
fire in 1870. Rev. Oakley returned to New York in 1857, an ^ 
remained eleven years. He is now a resident of this city. 

Topeka was the southern terminus of the Kansas emigrant route 
over which John Brown and Jim Lane passed on their way to 
Iowa. The last train that passed on that road had John Brown 
and a load of his colored friends. The principal stockholders were 
Dr. Charles Robinson, Major Abbott and S. N. Wood. The first 
conveyance that passed over the road was a closed carriage drawn 
by mules. The northern terminus of this road was Civil Bend, 
Iowa. 

The first business done in the office of W. O. Yeager, the first 
probate judge, was on the 24th day of September, 1S55. Wesley 
Garrett, a creditor of Preston Huffaker, late of Shawnee county, 
deceased, appeared before Judge Yeager on that day, asking that 
letters of administration be granted to him on the estate of said 
Preston Huffaker. His bond was $400 and his bondsmen were 



22 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

Duke Hunter and T. N. Stinson. The bond was approved and 
letters granted. 

The public-school system was organized in 1867, with W. H. 
Butterfield, superintendent, and in 1S69, J. A. Banfield was elected T 
and held the position until 1871. Prof. A. W. Haines was chosen 
and held the position for one year, when W. H. Butterfield was 
again called, and officiated for nine years, up to 1881, when D. C. 
Tillotson was elected. He remained at the head of the schools 
until 1886, when Prof. John M. Bloss was elected, and holds the 
position at this writing. 

Fry W. Giles was the first banker in Topeka. He estab- 
lished the first bank in 1864, and commenced business in a modest 
way. Now, in 1889, the combined capital of Topeka's banks is 
over $3,500,000. The First National Bank, Kansas National Bank, 
Central National Bank, Merchants' National Bank, Bank of To- 
peka, Citizens Bank, United States Savings Bank, Topeka Sav- 
ings Bank, American Bank, and John D. Knox's Bank, are all 
sound financial institutions. 

The founding of Christ's Hospital has a peculiar and sad history 
of its own. Mrs. Bowman Vail, wife of the late Rt. Rev. Thomas 
H.Vail, lay for several months at the door of death's chamber, when 
at length she partially recovered, though she was totally blind. 
She was thankful for what had been done to save her life, and to 
God she made an offering — a home for His sick. Her noble and 
fond husband responded to her wishes, and their gift of ten acres 
of land is now occupied by the hospital. 

The first opera house succeeded Union Hall, upon lots 194 and 
196 (old numbers) Kansas avenue, upon the site of the famous 
Gale Block, where the first State Legislature convened, where 
the first United States Senators were chosen, where State officers 
were tried in high court of impeachment for high crimes, and 
many other events of importance happened. There Mr. Lorenzo 
Costa built the first play house, in 1870, and it was opened to the 
public on the 12th of January, 187 1. L. M. Crawford bought the 
property in 1880, and Crawford's Opera House now occupies the 
site. 

At the anti-resubmission meeting held in Topeka Dec. 10, 1889, 
among some of the best speakers were several who had taken 
steps against prohibition a few years ago, but now see the effects 
of a good cause, and have boldly taken the stand against its re- 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



23 



submission. Of those speakers, one was Rev. Enoch Powell, pas- 
tor of Unity Church. He said he had voted against and spoken 
against prohibition in Nebraska, but now believed that prohibition 
was better than high license. The house was packed, and hun- 
dreds went away unable to gain admission. The addresses were 
made by James A. Troutman, T. D. Thacher, A. B. Campbell, 
Rev. Powell and A. L. Williams. 

The following is a list of the newspapers and magazines pub- 
lished in Topeka at the present time: The Capital, The State 
Journal, The Kansas Democrat, The Kansas Farmer, The Kansas 
Telegraph, The Kansas Churchman, Sunday Lance, The Kan- 
sas Newspaper Union, Western School Journal, The Weekly 
Knight and Soldier, The Sunday Ledger, Our Messenger, The 
Welcome, The Washburn Argo, The Washburn Reporter, The 
Night Hawk, Kansas United Presbyterian, The Leader, Topeka 
Argus, The Kansas Financier, The Printer Girl, What Now, 
Kansas Siftings, Potwin Tribune, Western Poultry Breeder, Kan- 
sas Medical Journal, Our State, The Association Reflector, The 
Season Signal, The Budget, The Kansas News, The Topeka 
Mail, The Topeka News, The Spirit of Kansas. 

The first literary society was organized in the winter of 1855-56, 
and was known as the Kansas Philomathic Institute. The mem- 
bers met every Saturday evening, and various subjects were dis- 
cussed, and upon the first Saturday evening of each month lectures 
were delivered. The officers elected for 1S56 were F. L. Crane, 
president ; H. P. Waters, secretary ; L. Farnsworth, treasurer ; 
J. C. Miller, corresponding secretary; James Cowles, librarian; 
C. K. Holliday, historian; R. L. Mitchell, cabinet keeper; L. G. 
Cleveland, R. Gustin and W. W. Ross, standing committee. At 
the first anniversary of the society, which took place at Union 
Hall, January 3d, 1857, an oration was delivered by L. C. Wil- 
marth, a poem by L. Farnsworth, and a paper was read by Mr. J. 
C. Miller. A paper published by the members was called the 
Communicator, and the ladies contributed a paper named the Snow 
Wreath. The library contained 700 volumes. 

In January, 1872, the first number of the Kansas Magazine 
appeared, issued by a corporation organized at Topeka for this 
special work, and having the title of the Kansas Magazine Pub- 
lishing Company. It appeared as a hundred-page monthly, under 
the editorial management of Capt. Henry King, and in typo- 



24 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

graphical execution and general make-up was one of the best 
magazines in the country. The State at large at once took a pride 
in the publication, and gave it a support equal to expectations. 
Its contributors were mainly Kansas men and women, and the 
contributions were highly creditable in scholarship and style, and 
peculiary adapted to the taste of the people of the West. The 
field was not large enough, however, and the magazine's life ter- 
minated in October, 1873. The magazine served a valuable pur- 
pose in many ways, but in none more valuable than as a medium 
for the writers and scholars of the State to become acquainted with 
each other. 



OAKLAND. 

This beautiful and thriving suburb lies northeast of the city of 
Topeka. The Rapid Transit Electric Railway passes through it, 
making a terminus at Oakland Park. 

In 1887, John Norton and J. B. Bartholomew bought some of 
the large farms which occupied the present site of Oakland, platted 
them in lots, and named the beautiful addition Oakland, as it was 
thickly dotted with beautiful young oak trees, which had sprung 
up and made such a luxuriant growth since the prairie fires were 
checked by the white settlers. The greater part of one section of 
land is laid out in town lots, and where only walls of corn, and 
broad fields of waving wheat and oats were three years ago, we 
now see thousands of homes — fine residences, too — and still the 
building goes on, houses going up in every part of the addition. 

Oakland has one of the best schools in the county, with a daily 
attendance of 160 scholars, there being at present four departments, 
under the supervision of as many efficient teachers. It has a post 
office, two or three real estate offices, and a weekly newspaper, 
the Oakland Item, has just been issued. The Methodists recently 
erected a church edifice, and have a large attendance both at church 
and Sabbath school. 

Oakland is one of the most delightful localities for a home, 
away from the noise and smoke of the manufacturing part of the 
city, and the dust of the thronged streets. It appears like some 
beautiful picture, as the tourist passes through it on the electric 
cars. No shanties, and not one poorly-built house has been 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 2$ 

erected in Oakland. Prosperity seems to reign over the entire 
place. Temperance flung his banner out at the first opening of 
the park, and all societies and assemblies are notified by the park 
committee not to bring intoxicating liquors into their midst. A 
large tabernacle was built in June, 1SS9, for the Chatauquans, and 
in the frame buildings in north park are the reading rooms of the 
Chatauqua. During the seasons for out-door entertainments, Oak- 
land Park has been the favorite resort. Thousands have assembled 
almost every Sabbath during the past summer and fall, for recrea- 
tion and promenade. No pleasanter spot can be found to pass an 
hour or so in the open air, than in Oakland Park. 

The first settlers were J. Billard, George Kellam, Sardou, Con- 
well and W. B. Wade. Mr. W. B. Wade came to Kansas in 1S54, 
and settled near where Oakland now stands in 1857. Messrs. Bil- 
lard and Sardou were French, coming direct from France. Mr. 
Conwell died some years ago on his farm, and Mrs. Conwell en- 
tered the homestead herself, and lived there many years. She sold 
it to Chester Thomas, jr., and Messrs. Bartholomew and Norton 
purchased the farm of Thomas. Mr. W. B. Wade and wife still 
reside in the western part of the city. Mr. Wade, of the grocery 
firm of Grice & Wade, is their eldest son. Mr. Billard, of the 
Central Mill, North Topeka, is a son of J. Billard, one of 
Oakland's pioneer settlers. Mrs. Conwell and her son reside in 
Topeka. Mr. and Mrs. Sardou returned to France, leaving their 
son in Oakland, upon a portion of the old homestead. 

The school board consists of E. F. Knight, chairman; Scott 
Kelsey, clerk; and Robert Pugh, treasurer. Mr. Pugh has been 
the treasurer of that district for twenty-two years. He is one of 
the oldest settlers, coming after the war closed. 

Mr. Knight is a pioneer by birth. His parents lived in Michi- 
gan during the early settlement of that State. His father, Wil- 
liam Knight, was stolen when a boy by the Pottawatomie Indians 
on the shores of Lake Michigan, in 1829, and they kept him sev- 
eral years, when he was bought of them and sent to his home. 
Sixty years afterward his son, Mr. E. F. Knight, visited the agency 
of the tribe here on their reservation, and found several of the old 
warriors who remembered his father, and had played with him on 
the shores of Lake Michigan sixty years ago. 



26 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



POTWIN PLACE 

Is located northwest of the city, and is one of the handsomest 
residence suburbs of Topeka. In 1869, twenty years ago, it was 
a beautiful tract of land, lying there uncultivated. A gentleman 
from Zanesville, Ohio, purchased it. There were seventy acres in 
the tract, and real estate dealers said Mr. Charles Potwin had made 
a bad bargain, when he paid $14,000 for the land ; but, unmindful of 
any discouraging predictions, he paid the taxes, and not until 1SS2 
did the limits of Topeka begin to draw near the place; then it was 
platted by the owner, and named Potwin Place. 

It was designed by the proprietor for elegant suburban resi- 
dences, and the many beautiful homes already constructed attest 
Mr. Potwin's wisdom and foresight. In both location and topog- 
raphy it is superbly adapted to the purpose which was in the mind 
of its founder. The tract was subdivided into eighty lots, 122^ 
feet front, by 205 feet deep. The blocks have rounded corners, 
and the broad avenues describe the circle, with a circular park at 
each intersection. Some two thousand forest trees were planted 
and taken good care of until the fall of iSS5,when the lots were 
placed on the market. In that year six homes were built, cost- 
ing upwards of $5,000. The sale of the lots was restricted to 
those who would build a house not costing less than $2,000, and to 
be completed in six months after the sale. Soon the tract was 
taken up, and some fine, palatial residences were built, more than 
quadrupling what Mr. Potwin had fixed at the sale. 

In 1SS7 it was incorporated as a separate city, and the city of 
Potwin Place now stands alone in all its grandeur and beauty. 
Since then three additions have been included, constituting 115 
acres in the present city of Potwin Place. It has 700 inhabitants, and 
has sidewalks, attractive parks, etc. A school district was organ- 
ized, embracing the city of Potwin Place and a large amount of 
territory adjoining it, and a brick school house built, costing 
$10,000. Thus, within five years, the city has been built and in- 
corporated. The Rapid Transit Railroad traverses its winding 
streets, and a cozy waiting room bas been erected to accommodate 
the many passengers who live in Potwin Place, but who are with- 
in easy reach of their various offices and places of business in To- 
peka. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



2 7 



HIGHLAND PARK. 

This is a most delightful selection for the location of a suburban 
residence within the radius of miles, near Topeka. It lies south- 
east of the city, on a high eminence overlooking the entire city of 
Topeka and its various additions and other suburbs. 

It was the farm, or rather the country residence, of Major J. K. 
Hudson. In 1887 he platted it; the streets were graded, trees 
planted, and it was put on the market. It was selected for residences 
of a better class and at a fixed price before the lots were sold. This 
suburb is a desirable location for those who wish to be out of the 
noise, bustle and smoke of the city. The East Side Circle Rail- 
road passes through it, and makes it convenient for those residing 
there to attend business in the city, being only a few minutes' ride. 
It has had a steady growth, new buildings being erected continu- 
ally. 

QUINTON HEIGHTS. 

One of the most attractive suburbs of the city of Topeka lies at 
the southern terminus of the Rapid Transit Railway. The view 
from the summit of these heights is grand and picturesque. If 
the tourist or sight seer 'will climb the winding stairs of the large 
residence standing there (which the writer has named Quintillian 
Castle), he will be amply repaid for his pains in so doing. The 
varied scenery of Kansas never presented a finer picture than it 
does from this point. 

Looking to the south, the eyes sweep over a vast extent of prai- 
rie interspersed with dark groves of forest trees skirting the banks 
of streams, and orchards on large farms. Far to the southeast, 
almost as far as can be seen with a spyglass, is a long line of 
blue rising up against the horizon; that is the timber line that 
marks the course of the Neosho* river, some sixty miles distant. 

Nearer is a broader belt of timber winding among various- 
shaped hills and ridges. It marks out the course of the historic 
river, the "Marais des Cygnes." It was along its muddy banks 
that Du Tissennet marched through Kansas in 17 19, and gave it the 
name of Marais des Cygnes, "river of swans." 

*An Indian word, meaning "beautiful river." 



28 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

To the southwest is the Wakarusa, where fertile valleys are 
covered with large farms. There the Indians roamed some fity 
years ago, and named the stream Wakarusa — "river of big weeds." 

West we see Burnett's mound rising far above the surrounding 
hills. It was known to the early traders and trappers as Webster 
Peak, and was a landmark for the early settlers, but when the 
Pottawatomie Indians were located in Kansas, in 1848, Abram Bur- 
nett, one of the chiefs, settled at the foot of this mound, and 
opened up a farm. He resided there with his family until his 
death, which occurred in 1870. The residents of the surrounding 
neighborhood named it for the old chief, Burnett's Mound. 

Beyond the city of Topeka, to the east, some eighteen miles 
distant, is a high eminence, where Lecompton "sits like a lonely 
widow," as was said by the Hon. William H. Seward, in i860 — 
a town that Noble Prentis is pleased to call a "Kansas Has Been." 
Lecompton was the territorial capital during Pro-Slavery reign, 
and stands in sight of this beautiful city which the Free-Soilers 
planted on a firmer foundation. 

The large tributary of the Kaw north of Topeka is Soldier 
creek. It derived its name from the great number of U. S. soldiers 
who camped on its banks some thirty years ago, as they marched 
from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley. 

There on its banks is the site of another town whose name is all 
that is left to tell it was once a rival of Topeka. "Indianola" was 
surveyed and town lots sold in 1855, and the company expected to 
make it the capital, but a few traditions and love stories is about 
all the history that is worth recording of Indianola. 

That cluster of buildings between Soldier creek and the Kaw, 
a little northwest of Topeka, is the State Reform School for boys. 
It is under the supervision of Dr. Buck and his wife. West of 
Potwin Place is a long row of buildings of the State Insane Asy- 
lum, the main charitable institution of Kansas. Washburn College 
stands between us and the asylum. 

Come nearer the Heights. Joining on the west is the Curtis 
farm. Mr. H. W. Curtis and his family were among the first set- 
tlers in Shawnee county. Coming from Paris, Illinois, in 1855, 
they settled east of the city during the early days of the county's 
history. They came to make Kansas their home, and add one 
vote more in establishing the rights of the Free-Soil party. 

Mr. Curtis was a member of the first territorial Legislature. 



■u 


• T _, 








5/ 












TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



29 



His farm and Quinton Heights are part of the quarter section pre- 
empted by Mr. Charles Farnsworth. Mr. Curtis purchased the 
prairie land in 1872, and made the improvements now to be seen. 
The large stone house and barn west of " Quintillian Castle," and the 
large orchard of apple trees south of the mineral well, belong to 
Mr. Curtis' farm. He sold to A. B. Quinton and R. B. Steele, in 
1SS7, and now resides in the city, on Eleventh and Topeka avenue. 
His sons are among the most influential men in the city. 

CROSSING THE KAW. 

We have no history of how Coronado crossed the Kansas river 
in 1 541-2, as he marched through from the southwest to the north- 
east, where is now Nemaha county. We learn that he did not find 
Quivera, but that they crossed many beautiful streams, whose banks 
were fringed with a luxuriant growth of wild prunes, grapes, and 
plants like those of Spain. We can only surmise that their bridges 
were similar to those used by Marquette, and other explorers; their 
canoes of skin, and rafts of logs, fastened with thongs and bark. 

It was in 1842 that the first ferry was established on the Kansas 
river, and that was at the present site of Topeka, a few hundred 
feet above where the bridge now spans the river. That ferry was 
established by the Pappan brothers. They were Canadians, had 
settled with their father in St. Louis, and were engaged in the fur 
trade. Three of them married the daughters of Louis Gonvil a 
French trader, their mother being a Kansas Indian. Those girls 
were half breeds, and, by a treaty with the tribe in 1825, were en- 
titled to a section of land each on the north bank of the Kansas 
river, where North Topeka now stands. They came there in 1840, 
and settled on their reservation, and, in 1842 established the ferry. 
It was well patronized by wagon trains going to California and 
New Mexico, and those in the military service of the United States. 
In 1S44, the great flood completely swept away their ferry, and 
also the dwellings which stood near the bank of the river. 

When the water was at a common point, the citizens of Topeka 
forded on horseback, or in their buggies or wagons, until the sum- 
mer of 1S58, when Messrs. Jones, Kidney & Co. completed a 
wooden structure across the Kaw. The officers of the bridge com- 
pany were Dr. F. L. Crane, president ; F. W. Giles, treasurer, and J. 
Fin. Hill, secretary. The bridge was opened the 1st of May, 1858. 



30 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. ' 

In June of the same year there were heavy rains throughout the 
eastern portion of Kansas, and the streams were filled to overflow- 
ing. By the middle of July the Kansas river was out of its banks, 
and the bridge floated off, leaving the citizens of Topeka to cross 
in boats as before. The few weeks it had spanned the river it 
was of great usefulness and benefit to the city. The large trains 
of Government supplies, and overland emigrants to California and 
other western Territories, gave the little city of Topeka an encour- 
aging prospect; but that undertaking resulting disastrously, not 
again for seven years was there any talk of a bridge. 

During the summer of 1865 a pontoon bridge was built by a 
private company, and on the 18th of October of that year was com- 
pleted. It occupied the same place as the bridge of 1858, and 
where the present iron structure is, on Kansas avenue. The cost 
of the pontoon was about $15,000. It was valuable, and a great 
accommodation to the citizens, as well as to the throng of emi- 
grants pouring into Kansas at that time. But lo ! on the 12th of 
February, 1867, there came another flood; all the streams in Kan- 
sas were very high; bridges at other cities and towns were carried 
away, or badly damaged. The pontoon bridge at Topeka was 
damaged to the amount of $5,000. 

In 1868, the city council began to talk bridge building. The 
city was growing, and there was great need of a bridge. On No- 
vember 20, 1868, the city council directed the mayor to call an 
election by proclamation, to vote bonds to the amount of $100,000, 
the proceeds to be used in constructing an iron bridge; but there 
were several persons who were interested in the old pontoon bridge, 
who made a proposition to build an iron bridge, those parties being 
Mr. Joshua Knowles, Dr. D. W. Stormont, and others of the To- 
peka Pontoon Bridge Company. They began to urge the council 
to assist them in constructing a first-class bridge, but the council 
deferred the matter for some time, until Mr. Mortimer Cook ap- 
peared before them and made a proposition to build a first-class 
bridge, if the city bridge company would sell him their charter. 
Mr. Cook made the contract satisfactory all around, and the King 
Bridge Company began work in February, 1869. The bridge 
was completed and opened as a toll bridge, in the spring of 1870. 
There was an immense amount of public travel on that road from 
the country, and Mr. Cook reaped a rich harvest for what he had 
expended. 



TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



31 



But making a free bridge was the next question before the citi- 
zens of Topeka, and also of the country, and, after some months 
of parleying, the bridge was purchased by the city and county 
for $100,000, the county paying one half and the city the other, 
and for twenty years there have passed over that structure thou- 
sands of vehicles, pedestrians, droves and herds of stock, until the 
wrought iron superstructure is beginning to creak, and now, in 
1S90, the citizens are clamoring for a new bridge, which is badly 
needed. 

Of the opening of the bridge, the following sketch from one of 
the city papers, furnished us by Rev. John D. Knox, will be read 
again with interest by the citizens of Topeka at that time: 

THE BRIDGE OPENED. 

"As the hands of the clock were about to effect a junction at noon, to-day, 
Mortimer Cook, like G. P. R. James' 'Solitary Horseman,' might have been seen 
advancing toward the bridge. The toll-gate man, seeing him coming, made a rush 
for the emigrant wagons that just then reached the end of the bridge, and collected 
the last tolls ever taken in Topeka. Mr. Cook by this time arrived, and gave a few 
hasty orders ; the remaining toll tickets were thrown into the river ; Cook informed 
the group of spectators that the bridge was open, and ©ne man madly rushed for 
Billard's saloon, crying as he went, in a loud voice, 'Come on, fellers, and take a 
drink to the free bridge ! ' 

"Whether by accident or otherwise, there was just then a large number of vehi- 
cles as well as foot passengers at the bridge. John P. Watson solemnly drove over 
in a top buggy and drove back with equal solemnity. 

"The first gentleman from the country who crossed from the north side was Dr. 
Campdoras, accompanied by Mr. Cole, of the North Topeka Times, and a wagon 
load beside. 

"Soon after the formal opening, the sound of music was heard by the denizens 
of the north side, and 'now came' the Topeka Band, in an express wagon ; then 
followed a carriage containing Gov. Harvey and the Secretary of State Smallwood, 
on behalf of the State of Kansas, and with them Judge Morton, who represented 
the judiciary ; then a carriage containing Dan Home, as a representative of the 
founders of Topeka ; Craigue, representing the city treasury, the grocery business, 
and the State of Vermont ; Martin Hanley, as a representative of the city council 
and the butchers of the city ; also Mr. Lorenza Costa, as a representative of Italy 
and the Italian opera ; also Theodore Mills, Esq., as a representative of iron bridges. 
In the next carriage the press, without which free bridges would never exist, was 
worthily represented by S. S. Prouty, Esq., of the Commonwealth, and F. P. Baker, 
Esq., of the Record ; in the same carriage appeared Theo. Pringle in behalf of the 
Odd Fellows. Mr. Geo. W. Crane drove the next carriage, and with him Mrs. 
Crane, the sole representative of the fairer half of creation, and Rev. J. D. Knox 
brought up the rear as chaplain of the expedition. 

"The band played several airs and drove along to the depot. Here — must we 



32 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

say it? — most of the 'processionists' got out of their carriages and proceeded to a 
beer saloon, where they 'plunged into the vortex of dissipation.' 

" After taking enough internal support to withstand the oppressive heat of the 
sun, the procession returned to the south side of the river, and thus ended the cere- 
mony of opening the free bridge. 

"While on the north side, several of the party fell in with Thomas Jefferson 
Anderson, and we are inclined to think the celebration will be resumed again to- 
night, 'enlarged and improved.' " 



THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

As to the exact date of this organization, we are at present un- 
able to determine, but from manuscripts left by Rev. C. M. Calla- 
way, now in the possession of Bishop Thomas, of Bethany Col- 
lege, we have gathered many substantial facts. This historical doc- 
ument has never been brought to light, and, through the kindness 
of Bishop Thomas, we are enabled to give to our readers a more 
authentic and valuable history of this church than has ever been 
given before, to our knowledge. 

The Episcopal Church of Topeka, known as Grace Church, be- 
lono-ino- to the diocese of Kansas, was organized some time in the 
spring of 1857, by Rev. C. M. Callaway. He left his home in 
Virginia, in the autumn of 1856, as a missionary to Kansas. He 
says in his address to an assembly in the East, on behalf of estab- 
lishing a church, and also a school in Topeka: "I left Jefferson 
City, Missouri, January 12, 1857, for Lecompton, the territorial 
capital of Kansas, Tecumseh and Topeka. I traveled by wagon, 
and reached Lecompton four days later, after being exposed to 
many dangers, and enduring many privations." He arrived on 
Friday at Lecompton, and the territorial Legislature was in session. 
He visited that immortal body. They extended to the visiting 
minister a cordial welcome, and invited him to offer up prayer, 
which he did. Saturday night he preached in their hall, which 
they had offered for his use. The congregation was large, he says, 
and a fine and intelligent looking class of people. There were 
somewhere near eight hundred citizens in Lecompton ; the Meth- 
odists had a church organized there at that date, January 16, 1857. 
He held services on the Sabbath, and had a large audience. On 
Monday, January 19, he set out f™- Tecumseh and Topeka. He 
passed through Tecumseh, and arrived at Topeka after dark that 
day. He was gladly received by the citizens of Topeka, and was 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



33 



solicited to preach for them that evening', but he was very much 
fatigued, and made an appointment for the next evening. Tues- 
day morning, January 20, he was invited and visited the home of 
Mr. Ganney, some two miles out of town, and, in company with 
several other friends, took dinner; while there, he performed a 
marriage ceremony, the parties being Protestant Irish, it being the 
first marriage he had officiated at in the West. He preached that 
evening in the "Town Hall," (Constitution Hall,) to an audience 
of 175 persons. A small melodeon was brought in, and a fine old 
anthem was sung by some of the best singers he had ever heard. 
Mrs. Marcia Gordon was one of those sweet singers. Mr. E. C. 
K. Garvey furnished the organ, and a beautiful large Bible, which 
is still in Mrs. Garvey's possession. His text was the 47th verse 
of the 10th chapter of Mark, "Thou Son of David, have mercy 
on me." The next morning the officials of the town company 
visited him, and made a proposition that, if he would organize a 
church, they would donate two lots for a church site, and two for 
a parsonage, and there and then the thought of establishing a 
school for girls and young ladies was first framed. Rev. Callaway 
says that there were over one thousand citizens in Topeka, and not 
a saloon or grog shop. The people were enterprising and intelli- 
gent; they had a library of six hundred volumes, a literary organi- 
zation of a high standard, and were prospering nicely. Before he 
left, a subscription had been made of one thousand dollars toward 
the school which had been suggested by the visiting missionary, 
and before noon, three thousand had been secured, and the town 
association had made him the offer of one of the city squares, con- 
sisting of twenty acres, if the Episcopal Church would erect build- 
ings to the amount of $10,000 for a seminary. With these papers 
in his possession, he left that day, Wednesday, January 21,1857, 
for the East, to lay the matter before Eastern friends. 

When Rev. Callaway returned we are unable to find any au- 
thentic record, only that Mr. J. W. Farnsworth was elected one of 
the vestrymen in 1857, for Grace Church, Topeka, and that Rev. 
Callaway had obtained funds and had the parsonage built. Their 
first meetings were held in Constitution Hall; then a hall was fitted 
up in the Ritchie Block for their use, and the Episcopal services 
were held there until Rev. Callaway had the stone church on the 
southwest corner of Seventh and Jackson streets completed. 

The first meeting of delegates to form a diocese for Kansas was 
— 3 



34 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

held at Wyandotte, August nth and 12th, 1859. That convention 
was called by a notice published in the Daily Ledger, at Leaven- 
worth, requesting each parish to send delegates. Grace Church, 
Topeka, was represented by George M. Meade, a relative of Rev. 
Callaway's, and of Mr. Meade of the Santa Fe Railroad. Bishop 
Jackson Kemper was present at that assembly; the bishop called 
attention in his address to the Female Seminary, at Tecumseh. 

April nth and 12th, i860, the convention met at Topeka, in 
Grace Church, the lay delegates being C. K. Holliday, C. C. 
Kellam and H. H. Hawkins. At that convention, Rev. R. S. Nash 
presided, in the absence of the bishop, and Dr. Dyer was elected 
bishop of the Kansas diocese, but declined, and Bishop Lee, of Iowa, 
was chosen. September 12th, i860, he met with the convention 
at Leavenworth. At that convention, Rev. Callaway said, speak- 
ing of Topeka: "The parish is in a flourishing condition, a neat 
and comfortable parsonage has been built, mainly by Eastern 
friends, and the property owned by the church and seminary is 
worth about $15,000, held by an incorporation." 

Rev. Callaway resigned, and Rev. N. O. Preston, of Manhattan, 
was chosen rector of Grace Church, and supervisor of the Female 
Seminary, and in 1862 Mrs. C. S. Preston, Miss M. Preston, and 
Miss Otis were teachers in the seminary. In 1864, the new build- 
ing on Jackson and Seventh streets was completed, and services 
held therein. Rev. N. O. Preston resigned March 7, 1864, to as- 
sume a position in the Agricultural College, at Manhattan. Rev. 
Preston had been rector of the Ej^iscopal Church there, previous 
to coming to Topeka, and his many friends gladly welcomed him 
back. But February 14, 1866, he was summoned by death to leave 
this busy world, and then his useful work on earth was finished. 
He was born December 22, 1809, being fifty-seven years of age at 
his death. 

There was no rector until 1865, when Rev. John N. Lee, of 
Cambridge City, Indiana, took charge of the church, August 5, 
1865. During Rev. Preston's rectorship the church had been very 
prosperous, and had assumed an air of refinement. A nice chan- 
delier had been purchased by the ladies at a cost of $500, which 
was another of the improvements. Rev. J. N. Lee found the work 
very hard, officiating as rector and principal of the seminary, and 
in 1869 he resigned the rectorship. Rev. Charles Stewart was 
chosen, and remained until March 1, 1871. For the next seven 



TOPEKA PEN AND CATMERA SKETCHES. 



33 



months, Rev. D. 0. Kellogg, of the State University, at Lawrence, 
preached for the church, until Rev. John Bakewell came from 
Atchison as rector, and remained until 1875, when he was com- 
pelled to resign on account of poor health. During his ministry 
the church improved. February 2, 1876, Rev. H. H. Loring was 
established as rector, and the membership had grown from a few 
individuals up to hundreds. 

In 1879, the convention met at Manhattan, and the following 
delegates from Grace Church were there to present their church to 
the diocese for a cathedral : A. Beatty, Frank Osborne, J. H. Lee, 
F. W. Giles and Ambosh Todd. It was accepted by the bishop, 
and organized as a cathedral June 5, 1S79. Rev. Loring tendered 
his resignation, and Rev. J. F. Walker was invited to assist Bishop 
Vail, but he remained only a few months after having been in- 
stalled as dean of the cathedral chapel, August, 1S79. February 
20, 18S0, he died in the Theological School, a man highly esteemed 
and beloved by all who knew him. 

Then Richard Ellerby was called as dean, on the 12th day of 
July, 18S0, and continued in charge until 1SS7, when Rev. Perci- 
val Mclntyre was chosen canon, and served two years, resigning 
January, 1890, and Rev. W. B. Guion was chosen to fill his place. 

Among the first members were Mrs. Knapp, George Anderson, 
J. W. Farnsworth, George M. Meade, C. C. Kellam, Louis Munger, 
E. C. K. Garvey and family, C. K. Holliday and family, Mrs. H. 
L. Gordon and I. E. Perley. Bishop Thomas is the present rector 
of the church (1S90). The church property is valued at $100,000. 

For the history and donations made by the many friends of the 
church and Bethany College, and of the late Bishop Vail's life, 
we give an extract of Bishop Thomas' address to the diocesan 
convention, taken from the Sentinel, Salina, Kansas, which is a 
review of all that has been written, but is interwoven with so 
much that has been omitted, that we include all : 

ADDRESS OF BISHOP THOMAS TO THE DIOCESAN CONVENTION. 

December 11, 1SS9, 7:30 p. m. 
Brethren of the Clergy and Laity : 

As I come before you this evening to deliver for the first time 
my address as the Bishop of Kansas, I am well aware that the 
thought uppermost in every mind is of him who so recently has 
been called to Paradise. Let me therefore, before I speak of 



36 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

diocesan affairs, pay my personal, tribute to the first Bishop of 
Kansas. 

Thomas Hubbard Vail was born in Richmond, Virginia, of 
New England parents, October 21st, 1812. He was graduated at 
Washington (now Trinity) College, Hartford, Connecticut, in 
1 83 1, and at the General Theological Seminary in 1845. He was 
consecrated Bishop of Kansas in Trinity Church, Muscatine, Iowa, 
December 15, 1865. On the 6th day of October, 1889, which was 
the Lord's own day, early in the morning, after a brief but painful 
illness, he departed this life, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. 

Bishop Vail, then Mr. Vail, I, when a boy, knew very well at 
my father's home in Wickford, R. I. He was at that time rector 
of Christ church, Westerly, and was accustomed to attend with 
regularity the old convocations of Rhode Island, several of which 
were held in my native town. At these gatherings he was always 
a prominent and favorite speaker. 

His benign face and kindly manner made a deep impression up- 
on my youthful fancy, so that I followed him with loving interest 
many years before I was called to assist him in the arduous duties 
and increasing cares of a western episcopate. In the year 1S50, a 
little incident occurred which links the life of Bishop Vail very 
closely to my own. While I was a clerk in my father's store, the 
bishop, then Mr. Vail, came to Wickford and delivered a lecture 
upon "Egyptian Hieroglyphics." In this lecture he described so 
vividly and with such thrilling interest the manner in which the 
arrow-headed inscriptions of the "Rosetta Stone" were deciphered,, 
that it gave to my mind a new idea of the world of letters, and 
implanted in my heart an intense desire to leave the marts of mer- 
chandise, and seek the cloistered life of a university. 

Shortly after this I entered the grammar school of Providence, 
R. I. The new direction thus given to my life brought me in 
contact, while pursuing my studies at Yale College, with Dr. Lit- 
tlejohn, of New Haven, under whose pastoral care I decided to 
study for the holy ministry; and so it appears by a singular provi- 
dence the first bishop of Kansas, all unwittingly, was the means, 
under God, of making and providing his own successor. 

Bishop Vail came to Kansas in the year 1S64, the very year 
that I left my own Eastern home and went to Minnesota. Owing 
to a long and similar experience, I can appreciate very keenly the 
trials and hardships of his pioneer life. He came to a diocese 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



37 



which had only 147 communicants and three little parish churches, 
not one of which was complete. "Four others, commenced just 
prior to the war, were standing," as he says in his vicennial ad- 
dress, "without windows or doors; with bare walls and broken and 
spreading roofs, just ready to fall." 

He came to a State which had been decimated by the civil war, 
and which, though larger than all New England, had scarcely 
100,000 inhabitants; a State which had forty miles of railroad, 
where now we have 9,000 miles. 

So great have been the changes in Kansas, so rapid has been the 
advance in all the amenities of civilization, that the early journals 
of the bishop read like the chronicles of a bygone age. 

"On Friday, January 13, 1865," he says, "I had the pleasure of 
going up the Kaw or Kansas valley as far as Lawrence, by the 
Union Pacific R. R., just completed to that city. 

"On Monday, January 16, I went to Topeka in a private car- 
riage. 

" On the morning of Wednesday, at an early hour, I started in a 
stage on a long ride of fifty-six miles to Leavenworth. 

"On Tuesday afternoon, the roads being too heavy and the 
streams too high for driving, we rode upon our Kansas or Indian 
ponies, which seem to be peculiarly adapted to the needs of this 
new country, to Wabaunsee. It was," he writes, "a delicious ride, 
the cool wind which always fans the open prairies blowing in our 
faces; passing in one place the huge stacks of gathered grain, and 
in another the broad acres of growing corn, and again winding 
through great fields of the wild sunflower, or among the white 
star blossoms of the thick-leaved asclepias, or plunging into the 
tall prairie grass, which sometimes, like a sea, almost encloses both 
horse and rider; or by the water courses, following the tortuous 
bridle path through the deep woods which line the ravines. 

"In the course of the night one of the severe thunder storms 
of this latitude occurred, flooding the country and raising the creeks 
for a few hours, so much that our return, which we accomplished 
on the next day, was somewhat difficult." 

And so, in these journals, we may follow the bishop as he 
cheerily visits the little stations of his vast diocese, halting for 
the night sometimes on a tentless prairie, with only a blanket for 
his covering, sometimes on a floorless hut, "which in this summer 
climate," he bravely adds, "was no hardship;" driven now in an 
ambulance which some kind quartermaster has furnished, now on 
a buckboard, but more frequently in the private carriage of his 
numerous friends. He who now sweeps over our broad prairies in 



38 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

a palace car, can hardly realize what tedious modes of conveyance 
the first Bishop of Kansas had to endure when visiting his widely 
scattered flock. 

Bishop Vail was a tireless missionary. In his earlier days he 
visited from house to house, often driving miles to baptize a babe 
or confirm a single candidate, or to administer the holy Eucharist 
to the two or three which could be gathered at some lone farm 
house. Wherever he went he carried with him not only the loy- 
alty but the enthusiasm of devoutness. Men, women and children 
all over his diocese loved him, and looked for his coming with eager 
expectation, regarding his presence a benediction. 

EPISCOPAL ENDOWMENT. 

The first great effort of Bishop Vail, after accepting a call to 
this feeble diocese, was to secure an endowment for the episcopate. 
To this end he went East, on the 1st of February, 1865, and spent 
five months visiting the older and wealthier dioceses and presenting 
the claims of Kansas. The next year he went East again, and 
spent four months of hard and unpleasant labor for the same ob- 
ject. The result of these two persistent efforts v/as a complete 
and well-deserved success. 

New York contributed $8,072.93 

Pennsylvania " 4>84 I -5 I 

Massachusetts " 4,608.70 

Rhode Island " 2,283.04. 

Chicago " <PZ-i?> 

New Jersey " 368.00 

Connecticut " 101.00 

Making a total of $21,177.95 

Of this amount, $20,000 was set apart as a permanent interest- 
paying fund for the support of the Episcopate. Subsequently the 
bishop added to this sum, from his own slender means, $5,000; so 
that the Episcopate fund of Kansas to-day is due to the wise fore- 
thought, arduous labor, and great generosity of our first bishop r 
and amounts to $25,000. 

THE COLLEGE OF THE SISTERS OF BETHANY. 

The next great work in which Bishop Vail engaged was the 
building of the College of the Sisters of Bethany. In the year 
i860, during the rectorship of the Rev. Charles M. Callaway, the 
trustees of the Diocesan Female Seminary in Tecumseh were in- 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 39 

duced, by the offer of a fine square of twenty acres, and other con- 
siderations, to remove their institution to the capital of the State. 
A suitable building, now known as the "Old Seminary," was erected 
on the grounds, and in connection with the rectory of Grace 
Church. Of this school the Rev. N. O. Preston was the first prin- 
cipal. Mr. Preston resigned in March, 1S64, and was succeeded 
after a long interim by the Rev. John Newton Lee. So soon as 
the school was reopened under the efficient headship of Dr. Lee, 
the bishop took in it a warm interest, and gave it generous aid. 

In the year 1866 he contributed, for repairs and improvements, .... $2,370.00 

In 1867, for the same purpose, 1,000.00 

In 1868, for Grace rectory, 3,000.00 

In 1869, for school apparatus and library, 1,250.00 

In 1870, for current expenses, 450.00 

In 1871, " " " 250.00 

In 1872, " " " 1,239.00 

In 1873, " " " 7S2.00 

Making a total of $10,341.00 which the bishop contributed of 
funds obtained from his Eastern friends for the maintainance of the 
old Female Seminary during the administration of Dr. Lee. 

But meanwhile a still greater work had been conceived and un- 
dertaken. 

The town company of Topeka had given to the old seminary a 
fine tract of land, twenty acres, corresponding to the capital square, 
and only three blocks away, on the condition that it should be im- 
proved for educational purposes. 

This condition had not been fulfilled. It became necessary 
therefore, in order to secure it for the church, that there should be 
no further delay. The grave question was, where could sufficient 
funds be obtained to build a new seminary, with ample accommoda- 
tion for a rapidly-increasing school, upon these large and prospect- 
ively valuable grounds. In this emergency, Bishop Vail wrote a 
letter to Dr. Dyer, of New York, who at that time was regarded 
the prince of almoners, setting forth in cogent and graphic lan- 
guage the great need of his work, and asking for $15,000. 

This letter was written in the spring of the year 1879. When 
Dr. Dyer received the letter (so he told me a short time since, at 
his home in New York) the request seemed preposterous. He 
laid the letter aside without any expectation that he could return a 
favorable answer. But the very same day he received a note from 
Mr. John David Wolfe requesting an early call. As soon, there- 



4<D TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

fore, as his business would allow, he wended his way to the home 
of his friend, and found him eagerly awaiting an interview. Said 
Mr. Wolfe, "I have been ill several days, and during that time I 
have thought much of my stewardship. I feel that I have not 
given the Lord his portion. Will you name some very worthy 
object where I could bestow a considerable offering?" Dr. Dyer 
replied, "I must give the matter careful consideration," and after 
a few moments arose to depart. But just as he was leaving the 
room, he recalled the letter of Bishop Vail. Suddenly turning 
back he said, "I received this morning a letter from the Bishop of 
Kansas, pleading for $15,000 to build a new female seminary in 
Topeka." After hearing some other facts of the bishop's letter, 
Mr. Wolfe replied, "Did you receive that letter this morning? It 
was meant for me. I will give you the $15,000." 

When the diocesan accounts of Bishop Vail came into my hands, 
I looked with intense eagerness to find in his own hand some inci- 
dental corroboration of this strange providence. On the first page 
of his account with the contributors to the new Episcopal Semi- 
nary building, I find this entry: 
Dr. to cash collected by Rev. H. Dyer, D. D., from Mr. John D. Wolfe, 

of New York $15.°°° 

As this beautiful incident, illustrative of the mysterious working 
of God's Holy Spirit in effecting what is generally spoken of as a 
special providence, had never been placed on a prominent record, 
I have seen fit to incorporate it, even at some length, in this con- 
vention address. 

The liberal contribution of Mr. Wolfe, afterwards increased by 
himself and a daughter to $21,000, gave the bishop such hope and 
courage that he planned a building much larger than was origin- 
ally intended, and carried it through with unflinching determina- 
tion, at a total cost of $70,000. 

In the year 1875, there were added to the College of the Sisters 
of Bethany two stone buildings, a laundry and barn, at a cost of 
$10,000. 

In the year 1881, Holmes Hall was added, at a cost of $18,000, 
and in the year 1883 a frame house was built for the chaplain, at a 
cost of $4,500. 

In the year 1884, a large addition was placed upon the north 
end of Wolfe Hall, at an expense of $15,000. 

The total cost of these buildings, including necessary fixtures 



TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



41 



and furnishings, is footed up in the bishop's vicennial address at 
$160,000. Truly a magnificent work ! But how few will ever 
know what such a result meant to our dear departed bishop — the 
appeals made, the letters written, the miles traveled, the solicita- 
tions from house to house in our great Eastern cities, and the load 
of anxiety which he must have carried at every step for so many 
years! These things, and such as these, none of us will ever know 
who have entered into his labors. May the Holy Spirit give us 
wisdom and strength to sustain what has been so nobly begun, in 
these days when competition is so severe, and taxes for city im- 
provements so enormous that the very life of our great institution 
is threatened with extinction. 

KANSAS THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL. 

There is in this connection another important work which de- 
serves particular mention. I refer to the foundation of the Kansas 
Theological School. As this school, up to this time, has received 
no endowment beyond the valuable lots on which it is situated, it 
has been able to keep and educate very few students. But the 
foresight and wisdom of the bishop in laying this foundation will, 
I think, at no distant day be fully appreciated. 

On the 23d day of February, 1874, the trustees of the College 
of the Sisters of Bethany gave a warranty deed to the trustee of 
the Kansas Theological School of the old seminary property, for 
the consideration of $30,000, an amount which the bishop had 
expended in the building of the new College of the Sisters of 
Bethany. 

At the time of this transfer, the old seminary buildings were 
badly out of repair. To make them habitable the bishop and Mrs. 
Vail contributed from their private means the generous burn of 
$3,000. 

Christ's hospital. 

In regard to the foundation and upbuilding of Christ's Hospital, 
the Hon. Timothy Dwight Thacher sends me the following items, 
which I take pleasure in incorporating as a part of my address: 

The purpose of founding "A Church and Christian Hospital," 
as the Bishop himself calls it in his records, was entertained by 
himself and Mrs. Vail long before it could be realized. 

They began to purchase land for this purpose in February, 



42 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

1SS2, and the purchases were completed in 1883, the whole amount 
being a little over ten acres. This land was a contribution of 
Bishop and Mrs. Vail. 

The first cash contribution for the hospital was made in March, 
1SS1. It came from Miss Kate Biddle, of Philadelphia. The to- 
tal amount collected by the bishop outside of Topeka, mainly from 
New York and Philadelphia, was $6,170.49. 

The total amount of the Topeka contributions for the same pur- 
pose was $12,072.89. For the furnishing of the hospital there 
was paid $1,645.53. For the steam heating, plumbing, painting 
and other items, $6,138.90. Of this latter amount $5,268.02 was 
advanced by Bishop Vail personally, and stood as a balance against 
the hospital on his books, at the time of his death, and was made 
a bequest to the hospital in his will. 

The total cost of the hospital, therefore, at or about the time of 
its opening, was as follows: 

Liinds for hospital site and grounds, $5> 000 °° 

Hospital building, complete, 24,382 00 

Furnishing hospital, 1,64500 

Total $31,02700 

Of this amount the Bishop and Mrs. Vail have given $11,216. 
Besides the building the Bishop secured the following endow- 
ments: 

Child's cot, S3.oooo° 

Philip Granden Vought, bed, 5> 000 °° 

Samuel Bowman Vail, bed, 3' 000 °° 

Bishop Vail, bed, 4,000 00 

Mary Belle Davies, bed 3>oo° °° 

Bethany, bed, 100 00 

Fund raised by alphabetical scheme, 661 00 

Waking a total of $18,761 00 

If we add $1,000, which the bishop has bequeathed in his will, 
Christ Hospital may be said to have an endowment of nearly, if 
not quite, $20,000. 

But lest it may be said that an undue portion of the bishop's 
work was given to the educational and benevolent institutions of 
his cathedral city, I have taken pains to collect from his books, 
which are models of accuracy and explicitness, such facts and fig- 
ures as will best show the careful oversight and intense interest 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 43 

which he took in every parish and mission of his widely-scattered 
jurisdiction. 

To Trinity Church, Lawrence, at sundry times and for divers objects, he 

has given $7,457 25 

To the Church of the Covenant, Junction City, 1,815 °° 

To St. Paul's Church, Manhattan 200 00 

To Trinity Church, Atchison, 1,250 00 

To St. Andrews, Burlington, gjg 00 

To Church of St. Paul, Leavenworth 400 00 

To Holy Apostles, Ellsworth, 400 00 

To St. Marks, Oskaloosa, 1,378 00 

To St. Andrews, Fort Scott, 650 00 

To St. Andrews, Emporia, 1,525 00 

To St. Thomas, Eureka, 700 00 

To St. Marks, Baxter Springs, I 200 00 

To Christ Church, Salina, • • . . . 500 00 

To Epiphany, Independence 625 00 

To St. Johns, South Leavenworth, 650 °° 

To Emmanuel, Humboldt, ico 00 

To Zion's Church, Reedsville, 1,500 00 

To St. Johns, Wakefield, 1,15000 

To Emmanuel, Monmouth, 705 00 

To Grace Church and Cathedral, Topeka, 2 166 00 

To Christ Church, Netawaka, coo 00 

To St. John's Memorial, Parsons, 2,300 00 

To St. Peters, Osage Mission, 150 00 

To St. Pauls, Wyandotte, 252 00 

To St. Georges, Victoria, coo 00 

To St. Pauls, Coffeyville, . . • • 568 00 

To St. Johns, Abilene, 1,201 00 

To St. Johns, Wichita, •. . 742 50 

To Trinity, Irving, 500 00 

To Grace, Hutchinson, 212 50 

To St. Marys, Galena, 694 00 

To St. Matthews, Newton, 875 00 

To Church of the Good Shepherd, North Topeka, 1,562 00 

To St. Peters, Pittsburg, 250 00 

To St. Barnabas, Williamsburg, 350 00 

To All Saints, Nickerson 53 1 00 

To St. Pauls, Columbus, 25 00 

To St. Simon the Cyrenian, Topeka, 2,884 2 ° 

To St. Pauls, Beloit, 300 00 

To Church of Nativity, Lewis, 300 00 

To St. Pauls, Clay Center, 300 00 

To Trinity, Freeport 25 00 

Making a total of $40,260 45 



44 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



Bishop Vail contributed this to a considerable extent from his 
own means, to the parishes and missions of his diocese. In a 
hasty examination of such a vast number of entries, it is possible 
that I have made some mistakes. But I think the amounts given 
are substantially correct. 

In addition to the above, our deceased bishop raised from his 
Eastern friends and paid on account of clerical aid and missionary 
outfit, about $20,000, and on account of the grasshopper invasion 
$3,873.29. Shortly before his death he received notice from the 
executors of the Miss Sarah Burr estate that $10,000 had been 
paid to the American Missionary Society, with instructions that the 
income received shall be paid to the Bishop of Kansas for the sup- 
port of one or more missions in the diocese, and that the principal 
sum shall be paid to the diocese whenever the convention or coun- 
cil shall procure an act of incorporation. 

The last gift of any considerable magnitude which Bishop Vail 
received from the East, was $5,000 from Mr. Alexander Brown, 
of Philadelphia, for building a tower in connection with Bethany 
College. 

The clergy list of 1865 has been increased from 6 to 33; the 
communicants from 143 to 3,500; the annual confirmations from 45 
to 375; the church buildings from 3 to 44; rectories from 2 to 21, 
and the church property, which was generously valued at $50,000, 
may now be estimated at $800,000. I give the items as follows: 

Bethany College, $350,000 00 

St. John's School, 60,000 00 

Christ's Hospital, 50,000 00 

Endowment of same, 20,000 00 

Property of Grace Cathedral, 80,000 00 

Kansas Theological School 30,000 00 

Burr Missionary Endowment 10,000 00 

Unimproved church lots, 20,000 00 

Value of Churches and Rectories, 300,000 00 

Total, $920,000 00 

INDEBTEDNESS. 

Bethany College, $41,000 00 

St. John's School, 16,000 00 

Grace Cathedral, I5>°°° °° 

On Churches and Rectories, 33,000 00 

105,000 00 
$815,000 00 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



45 



There are many other amounts of smaller magnitude which the 
bishop contributed to the general work of the diocese, but enough 
have been enumerated to show most conclusively that every part 
of this vast diocese found a place in the large heart of our great 
and good bishop. 

As an administrator, Bishop Vail excelled. 

During the twenty-five years of his Episcopate, despite the rav- 
ages of the locust and the impoverishment of long-continued 
droughts, he lifted Kansas from the fiftieth (or lowest but one) to the 
thirty-sixth place in all those numbers which measure the strength 
of the diocese. 

The indebtedness on Bethany College occasioned our bishop 
the gravest anxiety. It was due to the enormous improvement 
taxes of the city for sewerage and pavement, to many costly con- 
veniences and equipments, which our patronage demanded, and to 
smaller collections on account of the exceeding straitness of the 
times. The pressure of this debt was so great that our bishop 
felt compelled, although in feeble and declining health, to seek aid 
once more from his Eastern friends. In this effort he gave up his 
life. 

It has been a matter of exceeding regret that I did not know 
Bishop Vail more intimately in the early days of his Episcopate, 
when his hands were stronger and his mind in fullest vigor. But 
if this privilege was denied me, the greater privilege was mine to 
know him in the ripeness of his Christian virtues. From the time 
I came into the diocese he received me as a son, and in all that he 
did for the future of my work, he showed the constant solicitude 
of a father. 

To the church at large, Bishop Vail is best known as an able 
legislator, a fair, broad-minded churchman, and an indefatigable 
missionary, but we, the clergy and laity of Kansas, know also his 
gentler virtues, his courtesy, his kindness, his patience, and his al- 
most unparalleled spirit of generosity and self sacrifice. 

Were I to sum up his peculiar graces, I should name the fruits 
of the Spirit. As given by St. Paul, they were: Joy, peace, long 
suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against 
which there is no condemning law. 



46 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



FIRST METHODIST CHURCH. 

The First Methodist Church of Topeka was organized March 
31st, 1855. A few ladies and gentlemen of that sect had met and 
resolved to organize a church. Rev. A. Still was the presiding 
elder, and Rev. James S. Griffing the pastor. Of those who were 
the first to enroll their names on the class book, we find but three 
or four as of those few; perhaps most of their names have been 
enrolled in a higher class book than the one here on earth. J. 
Case was appointed class leader, and Mr. M. H. Wentworth Sun- 
day school superintendent. The first quarterly meeting was held 
at the house of Osborne Nay lor, at Topeka, November 20, 1S55. 
Rev. Charles Jordan was secretary, Rev. A. Still, presiding elder, 
and Rev. James S. Griffing was pastor in charge. (The records 
of these quarterly conferences are still in the keeping of Rev. J. 
D. Knox.) Of the business of that conference, the stewards ap- 
pointed were Gray, Moffit, Roberts, Cook and Whiting. Some 
of these were living in the city, and others had moved on their 
claims. On the Sabbath of November 21, a public collection was 
taken up, and $5.10 was the sum realized. A committee on 
finance was appointed, consisting of Mr. Johnston, Rev. Charles 
Jordan and Wm. Jordan. The Sabbath school closed during the 
fall and winter of 1855-6, there being no suitable house to hold 
their meetings in. 

In 1856, G. W. Pipher was pastor. In his report to the third 
quarterly meeting of Sunday schools, he says: "There was a Sab- 
bath school organized at Brownsville, near Auburn, in the spring, 
with the usual officers, and it progressed with the usual good promise 
and interest, but has declined in consequence of political excitement 
and party conflict in the Territory. Hundreds of violent men are 
even now in the Territory from the State of Missouri, and other 
States, seeking the destruction of both the lives and property, even 
dwellings, of any who are not willing to submit to the wicked 
spirit and unholy practice of slavery in Kansas." 

During Rev. Pipher's pastorate, the Town Association donated 
to the church three lots on Quincy street, west side, where Odd 
Fellows' Hall now stands. There were stone fortifications at that 
time on the lots, which had been built against the invasion of bor- 
der ruffians. 



TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



47 



Of Rev. Pipher, the Rev. Walter Oakley related the following 
to the writer: Rev. Oakley resided in Topeka, and Rev. Pipher 
in the country, near Tecumseh, and on going out to visit Bro. Pi- 
pher one day during those early times, he found him harrowing in 
wheat with his rifle on his shoulder. On making inquiries, he 
learned that the border ruffians had endeavored to break into 
Rev. Pipher's home, and only by the bravery of himself and wife 
did they keep them back, and he was carrying his gun to protect 
his property, his home and his family. 

Again, at the quarterly meeting at Topeka, October 18, 1856: 
" There has been no Sabbath school on account of the border war- 
fare." But there was a steady growth of membership during those 
early years, and the little church prospered. During 1S57 and 
1858, Rev. J. V. Holliday, a brother of C. K. Holliday, one of the 
founders of the city, was pastor, and among the local preachers 
were Revs. Oakley, Went worth, Hathaway, H. H. Jones, A. M. 
Lewis and C. Jordan. In 1S59-60, Ira Blackford was estab- 
lished as pastor. There was no church edifice up to that time, and 
then the members began to make arrangements for building. The 
first cash paid into the treasury for building purposes was by Gov- 
ernor Walker, in June, 1857. He was visiting Topeka, and had 
made a speech to the citizens the evening before on the prairie, 
now Sixth street east. The next morning Rev. Oakley sought 
his place of lodging, and presented a subscription paper for the 
benefit of the M. E. Church, which had been prepared for his 
especial benefit. The Governor signed his name to the paper, and 
handed Mr. Oakley a twenty-dollar gold piece, which Mr. Oakley 
handed to the treasurer. 

At the close of the year i860, the church edifice was begun, and 
it was sufficiently advanced for the basement to be used to hold 
meetings for religious worship in. There were some eighty mem- 
bers at that time, and the services had been held at any place that 
was convenient, Union Hall, Constitution Hall, and at private houses. 
In 1861, Rev. Blackford was sent East to solicit for the church, 
and as the first Kansas Legislature was in session, the ladies ar- 
ranged festivals, and Bro. E. B. Williams, a trustee and steward, 
laid the floor. In 1862, a State convention was held in Topeka, 
and the pastor, on a subscription paper, raised $300 to get win- 
dows and doors. Every aspirant for office gave from $2 to $25, 
and that was completed. Rev. John Paulson occupied the pulpit, 



48 . TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

and still the chapel was not plastered or furnished. Three hun- 
dred dollars were to be raised. The Legislature was to meet. The 
money was borrowed, the church plastered, and rented to the Leg- 
islature for the House to hold their sessions in, and the seats used 
by the Representatives through the week were for the congrega- 
tion on Sundays. Then step by step the First Methodist Church 
began to prosper. It is now the largest church in the State, with 
a membership of 1,103. , 

Among those who contributed were Governor Thomas Carney, 
Hon. A. P. Wilder, Judge Winans, Judge Thomas Ewing, Father 
Whitney, Hon. M. F. Conway, Bros. Knowles, Williams and Con- 
well. In 1863, Rev. Thomas Parker was pastor, and from 1865 to 
1867, Rev. John D. Knox was pastor, and during his pastorate the 
church edifice was greatly improved ; the steeple was finished, a 
town clock put in, also a fine-toned bell, which was the gift of a 
friend of his, John F. Paisley, of Pittsburg, Pa. The windows 
and doors had stained glass put in, and it was the finest church in 
the city. During the years 1S68, 1S69 and 1870, Rev. T.J. Leak 
was pastor. During the last years of Rev. Leak's pastorate, the 
church building was enlarged, and there was an increase of mem- 
bership. During 1871 and 1S72, the pulpit was filled by Rev. D. 
P. Mitchell, and Revs. J. J. Thompson and D. J. Holmes presided 
during 1873-5. 

Rev. James E. Gilbert was pastor from 1878 to 1880. During his 
pastorate a parsonage was bought and fitted up, at a cost of $2,500, 
but some months after this was sold, and one purchased on Sixth 
avenue, at a cost of $7,000. Lots were purchased on Sixth and 
Harrison, and in 1881 and 1S82, a church edifice was completed, at 
a cost of $35,000. The building is 1 16 by seventy feet, exclusive 
of steps and areas, with an extension of the south end westward, 
thirty-three by forty feet. The auditorium is sixty-eight by fifty- 
seven feet, with a gallery around three sides. It is forty-nine feet 
from floor to ceiling. The main walls are handsomely decorated. 
The style of the exterior is English gothic, built of stone. The 
buildino- is heated throughout with steam. There are two towers; 
the tallest one at the corner of Sixth and Harrison streets, 124 feet 
hio-h, contains the bell and clock. The bell was broken, and after- 
ward remodeled, and is now much larger than it was. The parti- 
tions between the auditorium and Sunday school room are so con- 
structed as to be opened, and the two rooms thrown into one, 



1 




FIRST M E. CHURCH. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 49 

when desired. The number of members in 1880 was 357; proba- 
tioners, 109; Sunday school scholars, 500. 

During 18S0 to 1884, Rev. O. Cowles, D. D., was pastor. He 
was an able minister, and well beloved by his people. He was 
succeeded by Rev. S. McChesney, D. D., a man of energy, and 
through his exertions the membership was largely increased. In 
1S86, Rev. W. G. Waters, D. D., was pastor, and March, 1889, 
Rev. J. A. Lippincott was placed in charge, and is now pastor of 
the church. He is a man well qualified to fill the pulpit of the 
largest church in the State. The organ is the largest in the city, 
and was purchased at a cost of $5,000. The Sabbath school has 
an attendance of 900 scholars. The value of the church property 
is $55,000. Of those pastors who were here some years ago, the 
Rev. John Paulson is now living at Fort Scott. He has very fee- 
ble health. Rev. T. J. Leak is at Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, 
pastor of the Fifth Avenue Church, one of the largest in that 
State. 

In closing, we give a short sketch of one of the most faithful of 
the former pastors of this church : 

Rev. Daniel Patrick Mitchell was born at, or near, Phillipi, 
Barbour county, Virginia, now in West Virginia, February 2, 1821. 
His father died when he was young, and his mother struggled 
with poverty and hardships, having a large family to rear. His 
early educational advantages were quite limited. Up to the time 
he entered the ministry, he did hard work on a farm, which devel- 
oped and toughened a naturally vigorous constitutional make-up, 
and gave him unusual mental and physical powers of endurance. 
His conversion to the faith of Christ was in early life, and was 
strong and satisfactory. 

Some of his sermons can scarcely be equaled. We have heard 
the dashing, sprightly Talmage, the varied and tender Beecher, the 
prophetic Cummings, the warm and loving Newman Hall, the 
immortal Bishop Janes, Durbin and McClintoc, Spurgeon with all 
the richness of the Gospel, Punshon with melting sympathy and 
beautiful and happy turns in the flights of unsurpassed eloquence, 
and Bishop Simpson with an unction that surpassed them all; still, 
Daniel P. Mitchell's sermons on the "Pretended Infallibility of 
the Pope," "The Kingdom set up by the God of Heaven," "The 
Conversion of St. Paul," and "The Resurrection of the Dead," 
were masterpieces of their kind, and delivered with a clearness, 



5° 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



fullness, eloquence and power that led many, and ourselves among 
the number, to say: "I never heard the like before." 

He took a deep interest in politics, and made many addresses in 
behalf of the party of his choice. He also did able editorial work 
on the Kansas State Journal. He was an earnest worker in the 
temperance cause. 

He died August 24, 1881; his remains rest in Maple wood cem- 
etery, Emporia. 

We will cherish his memory and imitate his virtues, and rejoice 
in hope of meeting him in the "sweet by and by." 



FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

In August, 1854, Rev. S. Y. Lum was commissioned to visit 
Kansas and perform the office of a Congregational missionary. 
He first visited Lawrence and organized a church; and hearing 
of the new settlement up the river, at Topeka, he made no delay 
in seeking it out, and preached several times in Topeka during 
the winter of 1854-55. The first sermon was preached at the res- 
idence of Mr. A. C. Ward, which was east of where the Lakin 
mansion' now stands, north of First street. 

The first organization was effected October 14, 1855, in the 
cabin of Mr. James Cowles, where a few settlers had gathered, 
and it was organized as an anti-slavery church, and those members 
proved to be the foremost of Topeka's citizens during the dark 
days of border war. November 2, 1855, the Lord's Supper was 
celebrated for the first time. The first deacons were H. W. Farns- 
worth and J. Cowles. Milton C. Dickey, John Ritchie and H. P. 
Waters were the first trustees. Not until October, 1856, was there 
a pastor secured. Rev. Lum, Rev. Paul Shepherd, and Rev. Jon- 
athan Copeland preached occasionally, until Rev. Lewis Bodwell 
entered upon the pastorate. 

The Topeka Association donated lots for the site of a church 
building on the corner of Seventh and Harrison, the present site, 
and some $365 were subscribed toward erecting an edifice. East- 
ern friends contributed freely, and in the autumn of 1857 the 
foundation for a stone structure was laid. During the next year 
the walls were built, but there came a violent storm, or cyclone, 
and the entire structure was demolished before the roof was put on. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



5 1 



The masonry was perhaps not of the best quality, as the mem- 
bers themselves performed the work, including the pastor, who 
took his turn and performed a hard day's work with cheerfulness. 

The mass of ruins remained there until early in the spring of 
1S60, when work was again resumed. Again Topeka was vis- 
ited by a severe wind storm, and part of the south wall was lev- 
eled. But at once the work was resumed, and in the fall of 
that year the building was completed, at a cost of $7,000, the per- 
manent pews not being added until 1862. January 3, 1864, the 
chapel was dedicated. Rev. Bodwell preached the dedicatory ser- 
mon. Rev. Peter McVicar was then pastor, Rev. Bodwell having 
resigned in May, i860, owing to poor health. Rev. McVicar re- 
mained with the church as pastor until 1866, when he resigned, 
and Rev. Bodwell was again solicited to be pastor, which he ac- 
cepted. Three years he filled the position, and again was com- 
pelled to resign, owing to the poor health he had contracted in the 
early part of his residence in the West. Rev. James G. Merrill 
was called to be pastor, and labored for one year, when he was 
called to the superintendency of home missions for Kansas. A 
call was extended to Rev. Linus Blakesley to become pastor of 
the church, in September, 1870, and he entered upon the work 
-and has zealously guarded the interests of his congregation to the 
present time. 

During the year of 1870 a fine bell was placed upon the church 
tower, and ten years later the old church building was torn down 
and the fine structure which now stands there was erected, at a 
cost of $35,000, including all the furnishings, with the organ, be- 
ing the finest church in the city at that time. 

The charter members, nine in number, John Ritchie, James 
Cowles, Rev. Paul Shepherd, William E. Bowker, M. C. Dickey, 
A. H. Barnard, William Scales, H. H. Cowles, and Charles A. 
Sexton, held their meetings in Constitution Hall and in Museum 
Hall, and in a brick school house, until their first chapel was com- 
pleted. 

The first pastor, Rev. Lewis Bodwell, was of Clifton, New 
York, being sent by the Home Mission Society, and said in one of 
his reports to the society: "There is very little to cheer a minister 
of the Gospel. One of the nine members has gone to Ohio, an- 
other East, a third just recovering from a severe illness, and a 
fourth a territorial prisoner at Lecompton." But the little flock 



52 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



persevered, and now the membership numbers upwards of 600, 
with a sister church in North Topeka of 100 members, and one 
in the southwest part of the city of 150. 

This church has been the means of the establishment of Wash- 
burn College. It was through the exertions of John Ritchie and 
Rev. Peter McVicar, that Topeka can boast of that fine institution 
of learning. 

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 

The First Baptist Church of Topeka was organized March 1st, 
1S57. Its constituent members were Jesse Stone, Joseph Miller, 
Sarah E. Miller, Christopher Fitzgerald, Charlie A. Bliss, and 
William Jordan. These few pioneer missionaries met. in the base- 
ment of J. C. Miller's house, on Sixth avenue, Revs. James Gil- 
patrick and Edward Seagraves being present. 

Rev. R. M. Fish, of Auburn, preached for them part of the 
time, and until C. C. Hutchinson became pastor of the church, 
June iS, 1S59. He remained with them, being partly supported 
by the Baptist Missionary Board, until 1861. They completed a 
hall over Mr. Miller's store in 1S62, which they occupied. The 
church consisted of about twenty-five members. Mr. Hutchinson 
was compelled to abandon the field because of the pecuniary ina- 
bility of the church. Rev. E. Alward received an appointment 
March 30, 1S62, from the Missionary Board, dividing his time be- 
tween this church and the one in Burlingame, until 1S65, when his 
whole labor was devoted to this church. He remained until June 
1, 1S66, forty-seven persons having been added to the church dur- 
ing his pastorate. 

October 21, 1866, Isaac Sawyer, D. D., accepted a call to the 
pastorate. He remained until June, 1S6S. During his pastorate 
the foundation of the present church edifice was laid, and was so 
far completed that the congregation occupied the basement. 

Rev. H. B. Fitch became the pastor August 1, 1S69; then 
E. O. Taylor, of Chicago, took charge of the church April ia, 
187 1, and remained two years and ten months. Rev. J. L. Moore, 
D. D., of Piqua, Ohio, supplied the pulpit part of the time. Mr. 
Taylor's labors closed the first of February, 1874, and on July 6, 
1S74, Rev. C. Monjeau accepted the pastorate. For more than five 
years he remained pastor, during which time all the debts were 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 53 

paid, the edifice was artistically completed and the grounds graded 
and ornamented. Mr. Monjeau's labors terminated in 1880; and 
in 1881 Rev. C. C. Foote, from Philadelphia, came to this field of 
labor. The number of members at that time was 175; the av- 
erage attendance at Sabbath school, 120. 

In 1S85, Dr. C. C. Foote was taken sick, and returned to his old 
home, where he died shortly afterward. Rev. T. R. Peters, of 
Dubuque, Iowa, was chosen to fill the vacancy left by the death of 
Dr. Foote. Rev. Peters remained with the church until 1889, 
when he resigned; and Rev. J. B. Thomas, of Iowa, was called 
to take charge of the church. The number of members at present 
is 375; the average number of Sunday school scholars, 250. 

This building is now too small for the congregations, and is in- 
convenient. Lots have been purchased on the corner of Eighth 
and Harrison streets, where a large chapel will be erected in the 
near future. 

The First Baptist Church is one of the most substantial and 
well-organized churches in the city, and has slowly grown for 
thirty-two years from eight or ten pioneer members to nearly four 
hundred. 



FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

The fourth church organized in Topeka was the Presbyterian. 
The organization was first brought about by Rev. A. T. Rankin, 
December 9, 1859. The me eting was held in the house of John 
Jackson, there being present eight male and nine female members. 
The ruling elders were J. M. Hamilton and Ephraim Herritt. 
Of those members, there now remain in the city Mr. and Mrs. 
William H. Fitzpatrick, and Mrs. James A. Hickey. A session 
was held February 15, i860, to secure a charter. Rev. A. T. 
Rankin was of the Highland Presbytery, and preached for the so- 
ciety for a few months. 

Rev. John A. Steele, father of James W. Steele, the well- 
known author, took charge of the matter, and it was through his 
untiring efforts that an organization was effected February 15, 
i860, with eighteen members, as follows: J. M. Hamilton, Mrs. 
M. A. Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Hukill, Charles McDonald 
and wife, Ephraim Herritt, E. B. Conkill and Mrs. Conkill, W. 
H. Fitzpatrick and wife, Andrew J. Ritchie, John Pilly and Mrs. 



54 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



Pilly, Mr. John Jackson and Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Freeland, Mrs, 
Deming, and Mr. Douthitt. E. B. Conkill was chosen clerk, and 
J. M. Hamilton, H. H. Hukill and A. J. Ritchie, trustees. 

Owing to the drought in Kansas in i860, there was scarcely 
any record kept of the members, Rev. Steele being absent in the 
East obtaining aid for the settlers, and not until 1861 can a full 
record be found of all the meetings and the membership. The 
first certificate of transfer was given to Mrs. Blake, formerly of 
North Church, St. Louis, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, December 23, 
1861. Mr. Steele worked arduously with his little flock during 
those early days. A small edifice was built on Eighth avenue be- 
tween Kansas avenue and Quincy street, which was then outside 
of the town. 

Mr. Steele continued as pastor until his death, which occurred 
October 12, 1864, at the- age of sixty-two years, leaving an hon- 
ored name and a cherished memory. From the time of Mr. 
Steele's death until November 19, 1865, over one year, the church 
was without a minister. From November 19, 1865, to March 19, 
1866, the church was supplied by Rev. S. T. McClure, a licenti- 
ate, of Vincennes, Ind. April 5, 1866, Rev. John Ekin, D. D., of 
Miami, Ohio, was called to fill the pulpit, which invitation he ac- 
cepted, and continued until the pastoral relation was dissolved by the 
Presbytery then in session in Topeka, November 29, 1868. The 
same day Rev. Alexander Sterrett (now deceased) acted as mod- 
erator. Rev. F. S. McCabe began to preach for the church on 
September 28, 1868, and was installed as pastor January 1, 1869. 
He labored faithfully and successfully. The number of members 
increased tenfold, beside the mission churches. he established or 
organized in the city. 

During the pastorate of Dr. McCabe, the following Presbyterian 
churches were organized throughout the county and city; consti- 
tuted largely of members of the First Church as taking the lead: 
Bethel Church, eight miles southeast of Topeka, organized Janu- 
ary 28, 1871; Pleasant Ridge Church, nine miles northwest of the 
city, organized July 16, 1876; Wakarusa Church, twelve miles 
south of the city, organized September 15, 1878; Third Presby- 
terian Church, organized December 12, 1880; Mission Center, 
six miles west of the city, organized January 16, 1881. 

Rev. F. S. McCabe resigned April 16, 1882, and during the 
summer of 1882, until February, 1883, the pulpit was filled by 







FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



55 



different ministers, when at that time Rev. H. W. George, of Ge- 
neva, 111., was called to the pastorate, and remained with the church 
until December 23, 1SS6, when he tendered his resignation. 

The First Church had outgrown the edifice on Eighth avenue, 
and it was determined to erect a more commodious building. 

The membership had grown southward and westward; hence 
a new location was needful and desired by the members. A site 
was purchased on Harrison street, midway between Eighth and 
Ninth streets, fronting east, and overlooking the State Capitol 
grounds. The site was formerly owned by, and was the residence 
of, Rev. John Ekin, one of the pastors. He left it by will to his 
wife, and both having passed to the better land, the heirs sold it 
to the church. One of the most elegant and handsome edifices in 
the city was erected, the corner stone of which was laid May 5, 1S84, 
with impressive ceremonies. 

On April 5, 1SS5, the farewell services were held in the old 
church, which was crowded both morning and evening to over- 
flowing to partake of the ceremonies in bidding farewell to the 
chapel dear to the hearts of those Christian people. The new 
church was dedicated April 12, 1SS5, with appropriate services. 
Rev. Geo. P. Hays, D. D., of Denver, Colo., preached the sermon, 
and the ministers who took part in the exercises were: Rev. F. 
S. McCabe, D. D., pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church; 
Rev. J. C. Miller, pastor of the North Topeka Presbyterian 
Church; Rev. P. S. Clellan, and Rev. H. W. George. 

On September 27, 1SS7, the congregation, extended a call to 
Rev. Edward C. Ray, of the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, 
of Chicago. He accepted the call, and entered upon his duties as 
pastor of this church on November 6, 18S7. He was formally 
installed by the Presbytery December 21, 1SS7. 

The number of members now is 777. The Sabbath school 
numbers over four hundred. The present edifice cost $53,000, in- 
clusive of grounds and building. The new manse was built at a 
cost of $6,500, in 1888, adjoining the church on the south side. 
The Westminister Church was organized April 28, 18S9, with 54 
members. There are, in the seven churches, 1,187 members. 

The First Church has just celebrated its thirtieth anniversary, 
with an able historical sermon preached by the pastor, Rev. E. C. 
Ray. "And Jesus himself, when he began, was about thirty 
years of age." Luke 3:23. 



56 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

Rev. F. S. McCabe is pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church, 
and the history of Topeka is not complete without a few words 
on the great work he has done. In every association, convention, 
ministerial union, anniversary, dedication, or religious meeting in 
any of the churches, there is always a part assigned to "Father 
McCabe," and not only his own church, but all, hold a reverence and 
love for the beloved pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church. 

Rev. E. C. Ray, present pastor, was born in Rochester, N. Y., 
October 12, 1S49. He graduated from Hamilton College at the 
age of twenty-one. From there he went to the Auburn Theolog- 
ical Seminary, where he continued his studies, graduating in 1873. 
His first regular pastorate was the First Presbyterian Church of 
Vernon Center, N. Y., from 1873 to 1876. From thence he ac- 
cepted a call from the Third Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, 
N. J., where he remained until 1881, when he was called to the 
First Presbyterian Church of Hyde Park, Chicago, 111., and from 
there to Topeka. 

He is one of the youngest ministers who have won a wide rep- 
utation as a man of learning, and a leader in the ministerial circles 
of the West. Of him Judge Day says, in his historical sketch of 
the Presbyterian Church, in 1887 : " In Hyde Park, Rev. E. C. Ray 
was chairman of the committee on the city evangelization and 
church extension of the Presbyterian Social Union of Chicago, 
involving careful study of every district, church and mission of the 
citv and suburbs. He was also a member for several years of the 
General Assembly's special committee on systematic beneficence, 
and was chairman of a similar committee of the Presbytery of Chi- 
cago and the Synod of Illinois. In addition to those, he was an 
active member of the Presbyterian committee on home missions. 
He is an eloquent speaker, and beloved and respected by all who 
know him." 



CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

It was on Father Marquette's maps of 1672, now in the mu- 
seum in St. Mary's College, Montreal, Canada, that we first find 
the name of our State inscribed, or the name of the Indian tribe 
from which the State has derived its name, and among the first 
churches organized here in Topeka was the Catholic Church, in 
March, 1862. Rev. J. H. Defouri was in charge. A church edi- 



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TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



57 



fice was erected, at a cost of $2,000, near the corner of Eighth and 
Jackson streets. It was among the first church buildings erected, 
and is now used for school purposes. Mr. Edward C. K. Garvey 
presented the church with a fine church bell, which he had brought 
with him from the East in 1855. And as we hear its tones at 
noonday (it is now used for the school) we wander back through 
memory's hall to those early days of Kansas settlements, when 
there was no sound of the church bell to cheer the weary and 
watchful settler for many long, long years. 

Rev. Defouri was assisted by several priests, often from other 
places, and Father Hayden, who now has charge of the parish, 
was among the early ministers in Topeka. Rev. Defouri re- 
mained in charge until 1S76, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. 
F. Cunningham. 

In 1S73, the Assumption cemetery was located, four miles 
west of the city. It comprises five acres of ground, and is taste- 
fully platted. In 1SS1, the foundation for the new building was 
commenced, 56 by 115 feet, and in 1S82 it was completed, at a cost 
of $20,000. The number of communicants at the close of 18S2 
was 1,762, with a flourishing parochial school of over two hundred 
scholars. The location of the church is one of the finest in the 
city, and the grounds are tastefully ornamented with trees and 
flowering shrubs. 

Rev. J. F. Cunningham was succeeded by Rev. James O'Reilly 
on the tenth of March, 1S82. During the summer of 18S2 the 
old church was remodeled for school purposes, at an expense of 
$600. The new church was plastered and handsomely furnished 
with pews, and on September 10, 1882, it was dedicated. In the 
following December a steam-heating apparatus was placed in the 
church, at a cost of $1,400, some necessary alterations in the same 
later on costing $200 additional. In January, 18S3, stained-glass 
windows, costing $1,000, were placed in the church. 

In May of this year seven lots were purchased for a church site 
in North Topeka; and in June nine lots were bought as a site for 
a colored church and school, on the corner of Huntoon and Bu- 
chanan streets. Two of these lots were sold later on, the other 
seven being held for their original purpose. By the following 
September a school house for negro Catholic children was com- 
pleted on this property. This school is in charge of the Sisters of 
Charity, and, with the exception of a couple of terms, has been 



58 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

taught by Sister Bonaventure, whose life is devoted to this special 
work, and who is beloved by the colored people who know her. 

October 13, 1884, a new pipe organ was purchased for the 
church, and in the following month Father O'Reilly accompanied 
Rt. Rev. Bishop Fink to Baltimore, as his chaplain at the third 
Plenary Council. In March, 1885, three statues were purchased, 
at a cost of $220, $100 of which was received by bequest of Mrs. 
Tane Murray, who also contributed $550 for a memorial altar (the 
main altar), which was erected in February, 1886. The tabernacle 
incloses an iron safe, and the altar table is marble. In September, 
1885, Father O'Reilly purchased of Bishop Fink the Leavenworth 
cathedral bell. 

In November, 18S6, the new parochial residence, adjoining the 
new church on the east side, was completed, at an expense of 
$5,000. It is a two-story brick, with modern improvements, and 
contains ten rooms, to which is attached the old parochial resi- 
dence with four rooms. 

On the second of February, 1887, Rev. F. Henry was appointed 
by Bishop Fink to organize a parish for the German-speaking 
people of Topeka. He resided at the Assumption pastoral resi- 
dence until the following November, and had masses every Sun- 
day at 7 and 9 o'clock for his congregation in Assumption church. 
In November of this year he occupied his own church, St. Josephs, 
on Third street. 

In July, 1SS7, Father O'Reilly was taken down with typhoid 
malaria, from which he never rallied. A few days previous to 
his sickness the news was received from Rome that he had been 
chosen first bishop of the new see of Wichita, but before the 
arrival of his formal appointment he died, deeply regretted by the 
whole community, and was buried July 29, in Mt. Calvary ceme- 
tery, Topeka. 

On the 10th of August, 1888, a monument, in the form of a 
marble Celtic cross, a tribute from his parishoners, was erected 
over his remains. 

Very Rev. Dean Hayden succeeded him the following month 
in the pastorate of the Assumption Church. He was for years 
the college companion of the deceased prelate. 

During the administration of Father O'Reilly, the following 
assistants served under him in the order named: Revs. J. Kelly, 
B. Vonderlage, M. Duggan, B. Disselkamp, J. Kraus, J. Locuenich, 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



59 



F. F. Dooley, B. McKernan, A. Kienhofer, P. Shields and F. 
Henry. 

On the new rector assuming charge, he found a debt of $7,000, 
incurred by the erection of new buildings, with the additional 
heavy expense of the asphalt paving on Jackson street, and the 
following summer Eighth avenue was similarly paved. At the 
Diocesan Synod, in Leavenworth, August 10th and nth, 18S7, 
the rectors of the Assumption, Topeka, and St. Marys, Wyan- 
dotte, were made irremovable rectors. In September, 18S7, To- 
peka was made the seat of the Deanery, over which Very Rev. 
F. M. Hayden was appointed dean. The Deanery embraces the 
counties of Shawnee, Jefferson, Jackson, Osage, Wabaunsee and 
Pottawatomie, containing thirteen priests. Semi-annual confer- 
ences are to be held according to diocesan statute. 

The first conference of the Deanery was held at the residence 
of Very Rev. Dean Hayden, March 6th, 18S8. 

The solemn consecration of the Assumption Church took place 
Sunday, April 29, 1888. The consecrating prelate was Rt. Rev. 
L. M. Fink, D. D. 

No assistant was assigned Father Hayden until July 21st, when 
Rev. M. Finn was appointed, who, after one month, was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. Patrick Shields. He was succeeded in January, 
1889, by Rev. Peter Flanagan, who, after a few days illness, died 
Sunday, February 17, 18S9, at the Assumption pastoral residence, 
and was buried at Mt. Calvary cemetery, Topeka. No assistant 
was again assigned to this parish until May 6, 1SS9, when Rev. J. 
J. Dunning was appointed. 

The rector, Very Rev. F. M. Hayden, was absent in Europe 
for his health from May until October, 18S9, traveling in England, 
Ireland and France, and assumed charge again on his return. In 
his absence, his place was supplied by Rev. J. B. O'Connell. 
On his return, Father Hayden's parishioners presented him an ex- 
cellent horse and carriage. During this year many needed im- 
provements were made in Mt. Calvary cemetery, west of the city. 

The choir of this church is under the efficient management of 
Prof. Louis Heck, jr., so well known in musical circles. On spe- 
cial festivals he is assisted by Heck's full orchestra. 

The Sisters of Charity in charge of the schools of the parish 
at present number six, viz.: Sister Vincentia, superior, and Sisters 
Mary Austin, Bonaventure, Matilda, Prudentia and Barbara. 



6o TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



NORTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

In May, 1866, Rev. Rodney Paine commenced his labors in 
North Topeka as a missionary; and in July, 1869, this church was 
organized under Mr. Paine's pastorate, there being eleven mem- 
bers: Rev. Rodney Paine, Martha Paine, C. R. Paine, J. L. 
Paine, Deacon E. Ward and Mrs. Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Ward, 
Catharine Garamier, Elizabeth Van Order and Martha M. Finn. 
On account of ill health, Mr. Paine resigned the pulpit in 1870, 
and the Rev. John H. Barrows succeeded him for three months; 
then the Rev. Walter M. Barrows preached for nine months. It 
was during his pastorate that the present chapel was finished. In 
September, 1871, Rev. T. W. Jones was called to the pastorate. 
His services began the next Sabbath after the church was dedi- 
cated. The first house of worship was on Kansas avenue and 
Laurent street. 

Rev. Jones was succeeded by Rev. H. C. Scotford, in 1876; and 
one year after Rev. S. P. Dunlap succeeded him. The present 
site of the church is on the northeast corner of Jackson and Laur- 
ent streets. The membership is about one hundred. The bell, 
one of the finest in the city, was from E. W. Baker to the church, 
and cost, with its fixtures and setting, $655. It weighs 800 pounds, 
and is a Meneely. The cost of the church edifice was above 
$4,000. Rev. S. E. Busser is the present pastor. 



UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

This edifice is located on the corner of Eighth and Topeka 
avenues. It was built in 1872, under the pastorate of Rev. B. L. 
Boldridge, and was dedicated the same year. Rev. M. F. Mc- 
Kirahan is pastor at present. 



GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

This church is situated on the northeast corner of Fifth and 
Tyler streets. The edifice was erected in 1882. It was organ- 
ized in 1870, with ten members; Rev. John P. Miller as pastor. 
A brick edifice was erected in 1871 on Jackson, between Fifth and 
Sixth streets, which the society sold, and purchased the present site. 



TOPE K 'A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 6 I 

The membership is nearly one hundred, and the Sabbath school 
about the same. Rev. J. L. Steinburg is pastor, and Mr. W. Ves- 
per is Sunday school superintendent. 



UNITY CHURCH. 

The Unitarian (or Unity) Church was organized in August, 
1 87 1, but the articles of association were not adopted until No- 
vember of that year. A minister was called, and the election of 
officers took place. H. Bartling, C. Reed, E. S. Robinson, R. H. 
C. Searle and Mrs. A. P. Wilder were elected trustees. A. P. 
Wilder was secretary and treasurer. The place of worship was 
in the Unitarian Hall, on Kansas avenue. The Sunday school, 
under the supervision of Mrs. Wilder, flourished. By the re- 
moval of some of the most influential members, the organization 
was almost dissolved; but in 1883, about the middle of June, a 
reorganization took place. The members were: Mr. and Mrs. 
Geo. W. Wood, Dr. O. B. Moss, Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Wilder 
and their daughter Belle, John A. Dailey, F. M. Hayward, F. H. 
Foster, Robert Pierce, and Mrs. Anna Brown. They held ser- 
vices in the hall of the city librar}' for some time, the Rev. Enoch 
Powell having been engaged as pastor. In 1885 the society pur- 
chased lots 302, 304, 306, on Topeka avenue, and a handsome edi- 
fice was erected, at a cost of $8,200, with furnishings. The Rev. 
Enoch Powell is now State evangelist for the denomination. The 
church now numbers some sixty-five, with a flourishing Sabbath 
school. 



SWEDENBORGIAN— OR CHURCH OF THE NEW 
JERUSALEM. 

In the summer of 1880, a few of this faith and order met at the 
residence of Edward Wilder, with Rev. H. C. Dunham as pastor. 
The trustees were J. F. Goddard, J. F. Scott and Edward Wilder. 
Services were held at Mr. Wilder's until the summer of 1881, 
when a neat and attractive chapel was built on the corner of Sixth 
and Harrison streets, and was dedicated October 9, 18S1. A par- 
sonage in harmony with the church is built within the same en- 
closure. The style of architecture is the Queen Anne cottage, and 



62 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

is very handsome. In 1885 the Rev. H. C. Dunham left this so- 
ciety, in answer to a call from Portland, Maine, where he would 
have a larger field to work in. The farewell sermon was preached 
in 1886. The Rev. Frank L. Higgins, who had formerly been a 
Free Will Baptist minister, but had graduated from the theolog- 
ical school in Boston, took charge of the society. The Rev. G. 
Reiche is now pastor. The Sunday school has a fine library, and 
the membership is now about forty. 



ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH. 

On the 7th of April, 1867, the Rev. Morris Officer, secretary of 
the Board of Missions of the English Lutheran Church of Amer- 
ica, with a few of the same denomination, met and organized the 
English Lutheran Church. The citizens of Topeka who united 
in that organization were: A. P. Benson, C." H. Ellison, A. S. 
Holmburg, Hugo Kullak, George Rumble, J. B. McAfee and John 
Guthrie. Rev. A. J. Hesson was the first pastor. Services were 
held in the Germania Hall, on Kansas avenue, until 187 1, when the 
society purchased lots 163, 165 and 167 on Topeka avenue, and 
built a frame edifice, at a cost of $4,000, and the Rev. Hesson re- 
mained as pastor until November, 1871. He resigned, and Rev. 
B. F. Alleman was chosen pastor, and remained until 1872. For 
several years the church was without a pastor, depending on the 
missionaries for most of their preaching, until 1880, when Rev. T. 
F. Dornblazer became pastor, and built the society up until it is in 
a flourishing condition. 

Lots were purchased on Harrison and Fifth streets in 1884, and 
a handsome brick building was erected in 1885, at a cost of $18,000. 
The membership is 186, with a full attendance at Sabbath School. 



SOCIETY OF SPIRITUALISTS. 

The First Society of Spiritualists was organized in the spring of 
1867, Dr. F. L. Crane being one of the most devoted members, and 
president of the society. It was only occasionally that they had a 
speaker, until the autumn of 1868, when Mrs. H. T. Thomas, a dis- 
tinguished spiritualist, was employed. They then held their meet- 
ings in old Odd Fellows' Hall, 152 Kansas avenue. Dr. F. L. 



TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 63 

Crane donated a house and lot for a parsonage, and the society was 
incorporated the same year. Mrs. Thomas died in 1872, and T. 
B. Taylor, A. M., M. D.,who had been a leading member in the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, took charge of the society, and held 
regular services on the Sabbath, and when he resigned, weekly 
meetings were held at the house of Mrs. E. Greer, northeast cor- 
ner of Sixth and Topeka avenues. They now hold their meet- 
ings in Music Hall, on Eighth avenue. 



There are some thirty-five church organizations in the city. 
Topeka is sometimes called " The City of Churches." There 
are Baptist, Lutheran and the Bethel Swedish churches. Then 
there are the German Lutheran, corner of Van Buren and Sec- 
ond streets, the German Catholic, Christian, Wesleyan Meth- 
odist, Cumberland Presbyterian, Universalist, Israelite, together 
with numerous colored churches, throughout the city. Churches 
have had the patronage of the city of Topeka since its boundary 
lines were first surveyed with a cheap compass and two ropes 
answering the purpose of a Gunter's chain. The saloon was left 
out, and civilization with Christianity planted there, and there for- 
ever, on the beautiful prairies of Kansas. 



YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 

In the organization of any society or church, there are always 
some one or two persons who lay the foundation, a few who are 
active, and see their way through and over the many obstacles that 
might be in the way of progress. There are those who are not 
afraid of the vast amount of work to do, or if " There is always a 
river to cross," find some way of crossing that river. 

Thus it was with the few ladies who first began this organiza- 
tion. It was first talked of and suggested by Mrs. Lizzie Reed 
and Mrs. Henry Bennett. They were sent to Wichita by the 
auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A., October, 18S7, and, in listening to a 
report from Miss Lyman, of Washburn College, on the good that 
was being done by the Y. W. C. A. in other places, determined 
to organize a Christian Association for young ladies in Topeka. 



64 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

November 19, 1887, at the residence of Mrs. W. F. Parker, an 
organization was effected, and the following officers were elected: 
President, Mrs. Henry Bennett; vice president, Mrs. M. H. Case; 
Miss Jennie Dick, corresponding secretary, and Mrs. Leon Stan- 
ton, secretary and treasurer. Mrs. Chrisman, Mrs. Parker, Mrs. 
Hammond, Mrs. Fisher, Mrs. Crow and Mrs. Lizzie Reed were 
chosen board of managers. 

The first year there were meetings held once a week, but it was 
impossible to get the girls interested, and the ministers were op- 
posed to the movement, as it would take their best workers out of 
the churches, they said. But those good Christian ladies worked 
and prayed,.and slowly they began to grow. Rooms were rented 
over Ripley's laundry, and furnished for their use. A subscrip- 
tion was taken up for defraying the expenses, but not until the 
winter of 1888 did the organization begin to prosper. Miss Dunn 
and Miss Sherman, of the State work, had worked faithfully, 
and many of the best ladies of the various churches in the city 
came to the front, among them Miss Annie Adams. She went 
into the work with her whole soul, and to her belongs the greatest 
praise. March 19, 1889, they rented the pleasant rooms they now 
occupy at 108 East Sixth avenue. 

There is a membership of over two hundred, and some two or 
three conversions every week. 

The object of this organization is to assist girls and young la- 
dies spiritually, physically, and mentally. Gospel meetings are 
held every Sabbath afternoon, and Bible classes through the week; 
physical culture and bookkeeping on Monday evenings; vocal and 
instrumental music, and all the common branches, are taught free, 
the teachers being some of the most competent instructors in the 
city. Dressmaking and stenography are also included within the 
course of instruction given in the parlors of the Y. W. C. A. 
There is also a dining room, where tea, coffee, hot water and su- 
gar are constantly to be had by those who work or teach in the 
city and eat cold lunch; they have tea and coffee free. A sugar 
bowl stands on one corner of the table, and those who wish to 
drop a nickel in it can do so. 

During the year 1889, 1,050 took tea and coffee at the rooms. 
To the poor working girls, those who are ambitious, and wish to 
improve their leisure moments, there is no better place than these 
rooms. The president takes charge of the Gospel meetings. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 65 

Miss Delia Ludington is secretary. The board of managers are 
Mrs. Henry Bennett, Mrs. Hicks, Miss Sue Stephenson, Miss Jen- 
nie Dick and Mrs. Lizzie Reed. Mrs. W. H. Baker was presi- 
dent, and was a very active, stirring, and lovable member. 

The physical culture class is in charge of Miss Frances Storrs. 
The class is well attended. Young ladies of every employment 
are now to be found taking an interest in the meetings and spend- 
ing their leisure hours in those pleasant rooms, reading some good 
book, or reciting some useful lessons. Miss Annie Adams is now 
State secretary, but finds time to visit the Topeka Y. W. C. A. 
Mrs. M. H. Case, Mrs. Bennett, and Mrs. Lizzie Reed are daily 
workers in the cause. Miss Lyman, of Washburn College, is one 
whose work in the College adds greatly to work that is being car- 
ried on throughout the State. 



THE STATE HOUSE. 

All are architects of Fate, 
Working in these walls of Time ; 
Some with massive deeds and great, 
Some with ornaments of rhyme. 

Nothing useless is, or low, 
Each thing in its place is best, 
And what seems but idle show, 
Strengthens and supports the rest. 

For the structure that we raise 
Time is with materials filled; 
Our to-days and yesterdays 
Are the blocks with which we build. 

Build to-day then, strong and sure, 
With a firm and ample base; 
And ascending and secure 
Shall to-morrow find its place. 

Thus alone, can we attain 
To those turrets, where the eye 
Sees the world as one vast plain, 
And one boundless reach of sky. 

1 — Longfellow. 

From the time of the Topeka constitutional convention, when 
Topeka was selected as the temporary capital, the citizens deter- 
mined to leave no honorable means untried to secure its perma- 

— 5 



66 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

nency. Time and money were spent in attending conventions, and, 
as a result, the victory was won. The first Legislature passed a 
law for submitting the question of a permanent location of the 
capital to a popular vote, and that a majority of the votes cast at 
some general election should be necessary for such location. 

That election was of interest to two cities: Topeka and Law- 
rence. The election took place November 5, 1861. Topeka 
received 7,996 votes, and Lawrence, 5,291 votes; other cities, 
1,184 — making a total of 14,471 votes polled. During the ses- 
sions of 1861, 1862, 1863, the House of Representatives met in 
the building which now forms part of Crawford's Opera House, 
and the sessions of the Senate were held in the Ritchie Block, on 
the southeast corner of Kansas and Sixth avenues. 

In 1863, the State leased a temporary capitol building, on the 
west side of Kansas avenue between Fourth and Fifth, (lots 131, 
133, 135, 137,) which was occupied by the State officers from the 
time it was completed till 1870. At the session of the Legislature 
In 1862, the Topeka Association, through its president, C. K. Hol- 
liday, made donations to the State of twenty acres of ground for 
the site of the State buildings. The same was accepted, and the 
deeds were made. 

In 1866, an appropriation was made to build a State capitol. 
The foundation was laid, but the stone was found to be useless, so 
the work was abandoned, and not until 1869 was the east wing 
ready for the State offices, and it was not completed until 1873. 
The cost of the wing was, according to State Auditor Bonebrake, 
about $450,000. In 1879, an appropriation was made for the west 
wing, and it was completed in 1S85, at a cost of about $305,000. 
This wing contains, beside the offices of vai'ious State officers, 
Representative Hall, which is one of the finest in the United 
States, finished in thirteen different varieties of marble, the product 
of quarries all over the United States and Italy. The spectators' 
galleries are at the east and west ends of the hall. Upon the ceil- 
ing are finely conceived allegorical paintings, representing History, 
Justice, The First Dawn of Liberty, and Law. The building 
stone of the west wing is Cottonwood limestone, from Strong 
City, Chase county. The main building is nearing completion 
now. The plan is cruciform, the building being composed of a 
main central building, fronting north and south, and wings front- 
ing east and west. Its total length from east to west, inclusive of 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 6j 

steps, will be about 490 feet; and from north to south about 416 
feet. The diameter of the central portion through the peristyle 
or range of columns above the base will be 106 feet, and above 
the peristyle, eighty-six feet. The body of the building stands on 
a basement story, eighteen feet above the ground; above this are 
two stories comprised between the basement and the Roman- Cor- 
inthian entablatures. 

When completed, it will be a landmark for many miles. The 
entire cost will be above three million dollars. The annual tax 
levied is one-half mill upon all taxable property in the State, dur- 
ing its construction. 

The first territorial capital was at Pawnee, Davis county, erected 
in 1855. The same was moved to Shawnee Mission, in Johnson 
county, in 1S55. The second territorial Legislature was held at 
Lecompton, in 1857, and the third at Lecompton, January 4, 1858. 
The fourth was held at Lawrence, in 1S59. They met at Le- 
compton, and adjourned to Lawrence. The Free-State Conven- 
tion met in Topeka, in October, 1S55. 

Of the "Constitution Hall" in Topeka, William H. Seward 
said: "I have looked upon the 'Constitution Hall' in Topeka, 
where the army of the United States, for the first time in the his- 
tory of our nation, dispersed a lawful and peaceable assembly of 
citizens of the United States, convened to counsel upon the best 
means of protecting their lives, their property, and sacred honor." 



KANSAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

There is probably no part or adjunct of the State work that 
will prove to be of so enduring value as the historical department, 
with its vast piles and countless numbers of documents, and manu- 
scripts, maps, books, pamphlets, newspaper files and relics, which 
it would fill volumes to enumerate. Each relic, almost without 
exception, relates in some way to the history of our State. The 
visitor in passing through, taking only a passing notice, cannot form 
an estimate of what treasures are stored away in every nook and 
crevice of those rooms. 

There are 11,231 volumes of bound books, most of them being 
very valuable; also 9,000 bound volumes of newspapers, among 
them ninety volumes of the New York Tribune, which contain 



68 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

in themselves the history of Kansas through the territorial strug- 
gle, and the history of the civil war; thirty thousand and over of 
pamphlets; manuscripts, maps of great value, and historical relics 
without number, including those of John Brown — his cap, Sharp's 
rifle, his letters to his family and friends, and the medal which 
Victor Hugo and his associates caused to be stamped in his mem- 
ory, together with numerous portraits of the old hero; and recently 
a bust has been added to the various relics in remembrance of him. 
Books relating to all the early Indian history, missionary work 
and surveys in Kansas are in this library, together with everything 
written and published concerning Kansas science. Indian relics 
without number are found here, among which is a stone metale 
for rubbing corn into paste in the preparation of tortillas; also a 
great variety of fancy work in beads and shells. There is a large 
piece of wood standing in one corner; it is a piece of the scaffold 
upon which Mrs. Surratt and her associates were hung. This 
relic brings to mind that dark day of our Nation, when our beloved 
chief lay cold in death by the hand of assassins and conspirators. 

There stands in the center of the main room a table, which, if 
it could speak, would tell many a story of interest of those devoted 
friends of Kansas who sat around it in days when the fate of Kan- 
sas depended upon wise councils, as well as upon the acts and 
endurance of her brave pioneer men and women. 

The following inscription is written in the bottom of one of the 
drawers of this table :- 

"This table was used by the New England Emigrant Aid Company, and stood 
in its main room from its organization to its dissolution, when I purchased it as a 
memorial of that useful organization. Around it, at one time or other, sat all the 
worthies who helped to make a free State; not only Eli Thayer and his New En- 
gland associates, but Robinson, Branscomb, Pomeroy and others, not excluding 
even John Brown of Osawatomie. 

"Presented to the Kansas Historical Society. 

Amos A. Lawrence." 

"Boston, January, 1881. 

Standing in one corner of the principal room is the cannon used 
by the Pro-Slavery party against the settlers of Kansas, known as 
the "Old Kickapoo," while far above on the wall is the Abbott 
howitzer, a Free-State cannon, donated by Maj. James B. Abbott- 
There are the busts of John Brown, Eli Thayer and Fred P. 
Stanton. Stanton was Secretary of Kansas Territory in 1857, and 
acted as Governor from April 19 to May 27, and again from No- 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 69 

vember 16 to December 21, of that year. He rendered invalua- 
ble service to the people of Kansas. The walls of the rooms are 
covered with pictures of the Kansas ex- Governors and noted men 
of the State. Photographs of all the members of the Legislature 
and State officers are found there. There is the group of the 
"Doy Rescuing Party," a history of itself. Oil paintings and 
portraits of distinguished citizens, and pictures of places, too num- 
erous to mention, are found in these crowded rooms. War relics, 
to enumerate which would fill volumes, swords, tomahawks, 
spears, flags, guns, pistols, and pieces of wood fancifully wrought, 
memorials of some historic event or historic place, have found 
their way among these records of the past. 

Volumes are being filed away of cuttings from newspapers, 
containing articles of historic interest and value; writings of Kan- 
sas poets, and also other scraps of local literature, are thus carefully 
preserved — not of much value now, perhaps, but in years to come 
worth more than their weight in gold. 

The history of the society and of its projectors is as interesting 
as the archives themselves; it shows how this work was all brought 
about, and it still grows more rapidly every day. 

For the purpose of saving the present and past records of the 
history of the State, the Kansas Historical Society was organized, 
December 15, 1S75. Its organization is chiefly due to a few news- 
paper men of Kansas, pioneer editors, who took part in the struggle 
for liberty. April S, 1875, an editorial convention was held at 
Manhattan. During the proceedings, Mr. D. W. Wilder intro- 
duced a resolution on this subject, which was adopted. F. P. 
Baker, D. R. Anthony, John A. Martin and George A. Crawford 
were appointed a committee to organize a historical society, and 
ask the Legislature to make an appropriation of $1,000 annu- 
ally, to pay for subscriptions, and other necessary outlays. Those 
men accomplished the aim they had in view, and the society was 
incorporated, as stated before, December 15, 1S75. 

At the meeting at Manhattan, they adjourned to meet in Topeka 
December 13, 1S75, which they did, and effected a permanent 
organization, the following officers being elected for one year: 
President, Samuel A. Kingman; vice president, George A. Craw- 
ford; treasurer, John A. Martin; secretary, Floyd P. Baker; board 
of directors, Samuel A. Kingman, F. P. Baker, Daniel R. An- 
thony, John A. Martin, Sol. Miller, D. W. Wilder, Richard B. 



JO TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

Taylor, Milton W. Reynolds, G. A. Crawford and Salmon S. 
Prouty. Of that assembly only three have gone to their long 
resting place: Mr. Taylor, Mr. Prouty and John A. Martin, now 
known as ex-Governor Martin. 

Mr. F. P. Baker resigned in February, 1876, and Mr. F. G* 
Adams was elected in his place, and still holds the position, and it 
is due to his work that the society is what it is to-day. The sec- 
retary drew no salary at first, as the society depended on member- 
ship fees, and during the first fifteen months of its existence, the 
income from this source did not pay postage and expenses. Mr, 
Adams began his work in hope and faith, and friends of the object 
responded. What time he could spare from other duties, he was 
looking after accessions, which soon began freely to come in. 

The first books donated to the society were from Judge Samuel 
A. Kingman. He had in his extensive library many books relat- 
ing to Kansas; the gift, therefore, was a valuable one. 

The society had many reverses before it reached its present 
dwelling place. 

In the winter of 1877, the Attorney General, Hon. Willard 
Davis, invited Mr. Adams to share his room, and here for the first 
time the society began to look like business; and soon the secretary 
devoted his entire time to the fast-accumulating historical matter,, 
not yet receiving a cent for all his work, but having full faith in 
the outcome. 

During the session of the Legislature of 1S77, $3,000 was appro- 
priated for the society. From this was purchased the "Webb 
Collection," leaving over two thousand dollars to aid in the work 
to be done within the next two years, when the Legislature should 
convene again. After that, more liberal appropriations were made. 

In 1883, when the west wing of the Capitol was completed, 
rooms were given to the society in that wing. 

The Webb collection of books, manuscripts, newspaper files, etc.,. 
is considered the most valuable accession acquired at one time. In 
it are sixteen large scrap books, containing scraps cut from news- 
papers published from March 24, 1854, to September, 1856, all of 
which relate to the settling of Kansas, and Kansas affairs. There 
is another scrap book relating to John Brown. It dates from Oc- 
tober 21, 1859, to December, i860. This collection was made by 
Dr. Thomas H. Webb, of Boston, while he was secretary of the 
New England Emigrant Aid Society, from 1854 to i860. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



71 



Nearly all the newspapers published in the State are filed away 
and bound, and kept for future reference. There are three clerks 
employed now, besides Mr. Adams and his daughter, Miss Zu, to 
do the work that has grown from a book case in fifteen years. 

Mr. Adams has built up a monument for the State, which, if not 
now, will some time be appreciated by the mass of the people. 
He has been one of the most faithful citizens Kansas has had, since 
he came within its boundaries in 1855. 

Franklin G. Adams was born in Rodman, Jefferson county, New 
York, May 13, 1824. He was bred a farmer, and not until he 
was nineteen years of age did he have educational advantages 
other than those of the district school. In 1S43, he removed to 
Cincinnati, where he attended lectures, and entered the law de- 
partment of the Cincinnati College, graduating in 1S52. For 
several years he taught in the public schools of Cincinnati. Dur- 
ing this period, he did much literary work, in large part relative to 
reformed spelling and shorthand writing. He has been a short- 
hand writer for nearly thirty years. He married Miss Harriet E. 
Clark, of Cincinnati, September 29, 1855. 

Being a republican of the strongest type, he took the first oppor- 
tunity that afforded to emigrate to Kansas. He came with the 
Ashland Company, in March, 1S55, and settled in Riley county. 
He remained with that colony for one year, and then moved to 
Leavenworth, residing there during the troublesome year of 1S56. 
The next spring he moved to Atchison, where he resided until 
1861. While at Atchison, he was editorial writer and part owner 
of the Squatter Sovereign, published there. 

In 1862, he became part owner and editor of the Topeka State 
Record. Being secretary of the State Agricultural Society, he 
had charge of the publication of the Kansas Far7ner, during its 
first year, 1S63. In 1864, he established the Atchison Daily and 
Weekly Free Press ; was editor and proprietor for four years, when 
it was consolidated with the Champion, in August, 1S6S. For 
some time he was editor and proprietor of the Waterville Tele- 
graph. In 1S73, he compiled and published "The Homestead 
Guide," giving the history and resources of northwestern Kansas, 
a book containing 312 pages. He has edited all the publications 
of the State Historical Society. 

He was appointed by President Lincoln as register of the United 
States Land Office at Lecompton, in the spring of 1861. The of- 



J 2 TOPKKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

fice was soon moved to Topeka, and Mr. Adams held the office 
here till January, 1864. He was also clerk of the United States 
District Court of Kansas from October, 1863, till April, 1864. In 
1865 he was appointed United States Indian Agent for the Kicka- 
poos, and held that office until 1869. In 1876 he was appointed 
secretary of the State Historical Society, which position he still 
holds. 

It is not necessary to say that Mr. Adams is a temperance man, 
and as sedate and quiet as a Quaker of the strictest school. He 
has been a member of so many conventions and public movements 
connected with the history of the State that it is impossible to enu- 
merate them here for want of room. He has belonged to the State 
since March 1, 1855, and his life has been well woven into its his- 
tory. He was Probate Judge of Atchison county from April, 1858, 
to January, i860, from whence arose his title of "Judge." 

Miss Zu Adams, eldest daughter of Secretary Adams, is a Kan- 
san by birth. She has been the constant companion of her father 
for twelve years in the historical rooms. The knowledge she has 
of the historical department cannot be estimated, for she may be 
said to have recorded and placed almost all that it contains. She 
is quiet, unassuming and pleasant. Like her father, her whole 
thought is in her work. 

One of the most useful and energetic men found among the busy 
ones at the State House is Mr. W. W. Cone. Mr. Cone has, for 
many years, made a study of genealogy, and is especially interested 
in this branch of literature. Within the past three years he has 
been of incalculable value to Mr. Adams in tracing out dates and 
other historical items concerning the early history of our State. 

Miss Emma G. Perine has charge of the newspaper filing, and 
is an expert typewriter. Mrs. Esmerelda Lasher records acces- 
sions. 

The board of directors for the next year are: J. B. Abbott, De 
Soto; N. A. Adams, Manhattan; Geo. T. Anthony, Ottawa; F. W. 
Blackmar, Lawrence; Jas. H. Canfield, Lawrence; Richard Cord- 
ley, Lawrence; J. H. Downing, Hays City; R. G. Elliott, Law- 
rence; Henry Elliston, Atchison; Geo. T. Fairchild, Manhattan; 
Geo. D. Hale, Topeka; Wm. Higgins, Topeka; F. W. Hoch, 
Marion; Edgar W. Howe, Atchison; J. K. Hudson, Topeka; A. 
S. Johnson, Topeka; H. B. Kelley, McPherson; L. B. Kellogg, 
Emporia; C. H. Kimball, Parsons; J. A. Lippincott, Topeka; 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 73 

Tim McCarthy, Larned; T. A. McNeal, Medicine Lodge; Peter 
Mc Vicar, Topeka; Sol. Miller, Troy; M. M. Murdock, Wichita; 
T. B. Murdock, El Dorado; Noble L. Prentis, Newton; Wm. M. 
Rice, Fort Scott; Chas. F. Scott, Iola; A. W. Smith, McPherson; 
A. R. Taylor, Emporia; W. A. Quayle, Baldwin City; D. A. 
Valentine, Clay Center, and Governor L. U. Humphrey, Inde- 
pendence. C. K. Holliday, was elected president, and James S. 
Emery, of Lawrence, vice president. 



TOPEKA FREE LIBRARY. 

The first movement toward forming the library association, 
whose beautiful building now graces Capitol square, was made 
by a few public-spirited ladies of Topeka, who desired a library 
system by which more general reading could be made possible. 
With a view of forming an association of ladies having a common 
library, with equal rights to the use of books therein, a meeting 
of those interested was held on November 12, 1S70, when an or- 
ganization was effected by electing Mrs. N. C. McFarland, presi- 
dent, Mrs. J. M. Spencer, vice president, Emma J. Steele, secretary, 
and Mrs. H. King, treasurer. And thus quietly .was set in motion 
the enterprise that, moving steadily on, gaining strength day by 
day, finally resulted in giving Topeka a free library, of which she 
should be proud, being one of the best west of the Mississippi. 

The "Ladies' Library Association," for such it was called in its 
early existence, opened in February of the year following its or- 
ganization, in the store room of Messrs. Myers & Keith, having 
at that time some two hundred volumes, and being opened for 
business purposes only on Saturday afternoon for one hour. The 
last provision was soon changed, however, and the library was 
opened from three to six o'clock on Saturday afternoons. 

January 20, 1872, the association reorganized under the State 
law, filing articles of corporation, with Mrs. E. B. Clarkson, Mrs. 
N. C. McFarland, Mrs. James M. Spencer, Mrs. Dr. Baker, Mrs. 
Ellen M. Tweeddale, Mrs. M. E. Lighter, Mrs'. S. D. Macdonald, 
Mrs. O. T. Welch, Mrs. Dr. Sheldon, Mrs. T. L. King, Miss An- 
nie W. Ekin, Mrs. Lizzie Huntoon and Mrs. Captain Higgins as 
a board of directors. At a meeting previous to this, it had been 
resolved that the interest of the association required the co-opera- 



74 



TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



tion of all persons, regardless of sex or sect, and thereafter men 
entered into the society, Dr. Huntoon being the first gentleman 
to act as presiding officer. In the incorporation, the society was 
known as the Topeka Library Association, being in a broader 
sense, and with a larger object than when first organized. Under 
this name, Mrs. Ellen M. Tweeddale was elected president, Mr. 
E. Wilder, secretary, Mrs. H. Clarkson, treasurer. 

The association, under this new government, continued to grow 
and assume more and more the elements and qualities of a library. 
Its growth necessitated its removal, in April, 1S72, to rooms over 
Blake & Halm's hardware store, and the employment of two libra- 
rians, Miss Alice Griffith and Mr. G. H. Thayer, the latter of 
whom was succeeded by Miss H. M. Griffith. The library at this 
time contained 600 volumes. 

During 1873 and 1874 the library enjoyed a healthful and steady 
Growth, so that in September, 1874, it was found necessary to 
again remove, this time to Quick's Hall, on the corner of Seventh 
street and Kansas avenue. In the same month Miss Griffith re- 
signed her position of librarian, and Mrs. Cragin was elected to 
succeed her. 

In 1S75, the library had grown from the private book case of the 
few ladies who organized it, until it contained 1,766 volumes, with 
a weekly patronage of 100 books or more. New volumes were 
being constantly added, and the shelving was steadily increasing. 

In this year Mrs. Kittie Kellam was elected librarian, and con- 
tinued in the position for many years. 

At the annual meeting in 1S76, the directors resolved to still 
further increase its sphere of usefulness, and asked assistance from 
the city. At this meeting a resolution was presented, stating the 
object of the association to be to make the library free as soon as 
circumstances would permit. 

In 1877, E. Wilder was chosen president; John Guthrie, vice 
president; G. F. Parmelee, secretary; and B. Roberts, treasurer. 
At this time the library contained 2,897 volumes, which had been 
carefully selected, presenting one of the purest and best collections 
of books in any library. In November of this year, circumstances 
permitted the opening of the library as a free institution, the citi- 
zens having subscribed funds sufficient to defray the expenses for 
seven months. 

During 1S77, the patronage of the library averaged 597 books a 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



75 



month, but in the months of November and December under the 
"free" rules the average reached 2,159 a month. The seven 
months' trial of the free system was so successful and popular, that 
before the expiration of that time the city council passed an ordi- 
nance providing for the payment of the running expenses of the 
library, the citizens having voted an appropriation of $100 per 
month for that purpose, in order that the library might remain 
free. Up to this time the library had existed with but little trouble, 
and had progressed steadily; however, when it was decided to 
allow the city to pay the expenses, trouble commenced, and it was 
voted in July, 1879, to c l° se the library because of the failure of 
the city to pay its expenses, as agreed by ordinance. This calam- 
ity was averted by timely contributions from the citizens, who, 
through Mr. Sam Radges, donated funds sufficient to pay the ex- 
penses for a few months, or until the council, in August of that 
year, again agreed to maintain the library, and pay the running 
expenses, in a sum not to exceed $1,200. This amount was in- 
creased in August, 1 88 1 to $1,500, and the library continued to be 
free. In September, 1SS2, the city appropriation for the library 
was further increased to $1,800 per annum, and this was still fur- 
ther increased, August, 1SS3 to $2,000. 

During the later years of its existence, its members determined 
to build a structure for its exclusive use — a dwelling place for 
the good and pure in literature and art, that would be a credit to 
the city and the State. Mr. Wilder, as president of the association, 
worked most diligently with this end in view, and to him, moie 
than to any one else, are we obliged for the results. Through the 
willing exertions and influence of many friends, permission to erect 
the building on the Capitol grounds was given by the Legislature, 
and contributions were received from the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroad companies to the amount of 
$25,000, for erecting a building, each railroad company paying 
one- half. The donations by the two railroads were largely the 
result of the broad view and hearty sympathy of General Manager 
W. B. Strong and President T. Jefferson Coolidge, of the "Atchi- 
son" company. 

April 20, 1883, the building was dedicated with appropriate cer- 
emonies. The entire cost of the building was $44,000. It is con- 
structed of native limestone, and trimmed with Colorado sandstone 
and brick, and roofed with red terra cotta tiles. Its dimensions are 



J 6 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

116 by 55 feet. The interior of the building is a model of neat- 
ness and convenience, the whole building being finished in ash, 
and all the plans are of the most approved style. The lower floor 
is devoted exclusively to the library and reading rooms, while the 
upper floor is now used as a hall for private and public entertain- 
ments. It is furnished with a concert grand piano, and the walls 
are hung with engravings, making one of the prettiest and most 
convenient halls in the country. In connection with this hall is a 
model stage, elegantly furnished, with dressing rooms attached. 
Two handsome parlors, elegantly furnished, complete the tour of 
the upper floor. 

The newspapers and magazines are kept in the reading rooms. 

Of those who donated $500 each to secure the building debt, be- 
sides forty gentlemen who gave their notes for $500, were Jas. D. 
Burr, of Topeka, C. C. Wheeler, of Chicago, late general manager 
of the "Atchison " company, C. W. Potwin, and J. R. Mulvane, of 
Topeka. 

The grand piano was a present from Mr. Barney Lantry, of 
Strong City. Other donations have been received from C. E. 
Buhre and A. E. Sexton, of Topeka, and Adam Spencer, of Boston. 

The following-named gentlemen constitute the present board of 
directors for the Topeka Library building: R. L. Cofran, J. R. 
Mulvane, John Martin, G. D. Hale, G. F. Parmelee, T. J. Kellam, 
Dr. R. Alexander, Dr. S. E. Sheldon, Rev. F. S. McCabe, T. D. 
Thacher, E. Wilder, J. L. Shellabarger, N. F. Hankla. 



STATE REFORM SCHOOL. 

One of the most interesting and useful institutions of the State 
is the Reform School for boys, under the management of Dr. J. 
F. Buck and his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fagan. 

The school is situated one and one-half miles northwest of 
North Topeka. The farm lies on both sides of Soldier creek. 
The land (160 acres) was donated by Shawnee county and the 
city of Topeka, in 1879, and the Legislature made an appropria- 
tion of $35,840 in 1S81, for erecting buildings, the site being 
selected by the board of trustees and the Governor of Kansas, 
The plans for the first building were selected, and the main build- 
ing, with an engine house, and some outbuildings, were soon 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. J J 

erected, and on June 6, 1881, the school was opened, with Mr. E. 
G. Eckles as superintendent, and Mrs. Eckles as matron. 

When Mr. Buck came in, there were some thirty boys in attend- 
ance; since then there have been over 500 enrolled, and there are 
174 in the school at present. 

The buildings at present consist of the main building, two cot- 
tages, one large chapel, engine house, laundry, greenhouse, bakery, 
and a hospital almost completed, and two large barns. A very 
large water tank supplies the buildings through a system of pipes. 

The grounds are tastefully laid out, and beautiful evergreens are 
growing nicely, and in the summer a profusion of annuals and hot- 
house plants make the lawns and yards one of the most attractive 
places in the State. 

All boys under the age of sixteen, who have been convicted of 
some crime or misdemeanor punishable by law, are sent to this 
school. Incorrigible boys are also sent there by their parents or 
guardians. 

The boys have a military organization, and one of the best brass 
bands in the county, under the supervision of Mr. Allison, a native 
of England, who has spent twelve years in the United States, ten 
of which he has devoted to the reform schools in the capacity of a 
teacher. 

The Legislature has made appropriations to the amount of 
$119,863, for buildings alone, and the estimated value of the Re- 
form School, on June 1, 1889, was, 160 acres of land, at $300 per 
acre, $48,000; buildings, $85,000; personal property, $19,807, 
making a total of $152,807. The highest number of pupils in 
attendance was July 1, 1889, there being 205. 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

We are indebted for many facts of the pioneer days of school 
teaching in the city, to Mrs. M. C. Price and Miss J. T. Cleland. 
In February, 1856, the Topeka Association discussed the impor- 
tance of having a public school. On the 20th of that month, Mr. 
Amos Trott was appointed to make a plan for a school house, also 
to take up subscriptions for the amount of $200, towards erecting 
a suitable building, while an assessment of $5 was voted on each 
of the 100 shares for the same purpose. The trustees of the Asso- 



78 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

ciation were directed to set aside two lots for the site of the build- 
ing. Lots 194 to 204 were selected, on Harrison street, the site of 
the present Harrison school, but not till 1865 was the Harrison 
street school building erected. During the years that intervened 
there were many changes, and the dark days of stormy war had 
cast their shadow on the brighter prospects of earlier days. 

In September, 1855, Miss Harland (Mrs. J. F. Cummings), 
taught a school in a shanty on Madison street. Miss Jennie Allen 
( Mrs. I. E. Perley ) and Mrs. Whiting were among the first teach- 
ers. Miss Allen taught in Constitution Hall till it became neces- 
sary to vacate for the assembling of the Legislature, under the 
Topeka constitution, in 1856, and that body, in turn, was made to 
vacate by General Sumner. 

During the autumn of 1856, there was no school in session. 

In the summer of 1857, the Emigrant Aid Company erected a 
building on Harrison street, fronting on Fifth — the first school 
house in the town. In 1859 and i860, schools were opened in the 
Museum Hall, on the southeast corner of Kansas and Sixth ave- 
nues. In 1862, a revenue was first raised by public taxation, and 
when the counties were divided into districts by the State law, the 
city of Topeka was made School District No. 23, of Shawnee 
county. 

From the county treasurer's report of 1863 to # i864, it is shown 
that the sum of $2,340.43 was paid out for school purposes, and 
in July, 1864, there was a building fund of $1,594.53 in the dis- 
trict treasury. Not until 1865, did the work of constructing build- 
ings begin, and two rooms were completed that year on the lots 
on Harrison, street donated by the Association in 1856. This 
was the first building erected by the city, the cost being about 
$8,000. 

The first colored school was opened in the fall of 1865; the 
building was a little wooden structure on the north side of Sixth 
avenue, between Kansas avenue and Quincy street. Miss Maybe 
was the teacher. Up to 1867, the schools were governed by the 
county. That year a State law was passed placing them under the 
supervision of a board of school commissioners. 

As showing something of the early days of Topeka's schools, 
we give here the second annual report of the schools, for the year 
ending July 31, 1869, which was kindly furnished us by Miss Cle- 
land and Mrs. Price. 







GRANT AND GARFIELD SCHOOLS. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. Jg 

STANDING COMMITTEES. 

Examining Committee. — Messrs. R. R. Brown, J. B. McAfee, John A. Banfield. 

Financial Committee. — Messrs. Jewell, Crane, Huntoon. 

Committee on Text Books. — Messrs. Banfield, Crane, Huntoon. 

Committee on School Organization and the Engagement of Teachers. — Messrs. 
Huntoon, Banfield, Crane. 

Committee on Buildings. — Messrs. Jewell, Huntoon, Ellinwood. 

You are aware that in the preparation of this report I have labored under the 
disadvantage of not knowing officially the work of the schools during the year. 
Upon my election to the office of clerk, on June 8th, the usual blanks for term re- 
ports were not in stock in the office, and from the substitutes extemporized by the 
teachers I gather the following statistics in regard to attendance. The statistics in 
regard to population have been kindly furnished me by A. W. Hayes, Esq.: 

STATISTICS. 

Number of children in the city at the time of the enumeration, in Septem- 
ber, 1868, 945 

Number of children in the city now, according to a recent census, .... 1,516 
Number of children enrolled in the public schools of the city in the year 

1868-9, 935 

The average attendance in the schools was as follows: 

In the grammar school — -two teachers, 45 

In the intermediate department — one teacher, 37 

In the secondary department — -one teacher, 43 

In the second primary department — one teacher, 60 

In the first primary department — one teacher, 66 

In the Kansas avenue primary department — one teacher, 34 

In the Monroe street primary department — one teacher, 31 

In the North Topeka, mixed grade — one teacher, 33 

In the colored school, mixed grade — one teacher, 28 

Total average attendance, 377 

The time the schools were kept open was 36 weeks. 

The number of schools was 5 

The number of school buildings owned by the city was 2 

The capacity of these two houses is 346 pupils. 

The number of teachers employed regularly during the past year was IO. 
Mr. Pond, of the Western Business College, was also employed eleven weeks, as 
teacher of penmanship. John A. Banfield, Superintendent. 

July 11, 1867, plans were adopted for building a school house in 
Eugene (North Topeka), and the first school house erected in 
that year, at a cost of $1,350. 

The high school, now on Eighth avenue between Kansas ave- 
nue and Quincy street, was first organized in 1869-70, Miss Lizzie 
Town being the principal. In 1872, the city owned and occupied 
Lincoln school building, Harrison street building, Clay street build- 



80 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

ing, the Washburn building, corner of Tenth and Jackson streets, 
Quincy street building and Thirteenth street building. 

Since the school system was organized, in 1867, there have been 
the following superintendents: W. H. Butterfield, 1867 to 1869; 
J. A. Banfield, 1870, resigned in 1871 ; Miss Lizzie Town, for a few 
months; A. W. Haines, 1871 to 1872; W. H. Butterfield, 1872 to 
1881; D. C. Tillotson, 1881 to 18S6; John M. Bloss, 1889 to 1890. 

The clerks, from the organization, 1867, are: L. C. Wilmarth, 
John A. Banfield, E. B. Fowler, R. H. C. Searle, T. H. Church, 
II. W. Farnsworth. 

Mr. H. W. Farnsworth has been identified with the educational 
interests of the city for many years. He is a fine scholar and an 
active business man. He was one of the founders of the Congre- 
gational Church, one of the trustees of Washburn College, and one 
of a company of three who built the first saw mill and grist mill in 
Topeka. He was postmaster, appointed by President Grant, in 
1869, held an appointment by President Lincoln in the Indian 
agencies, and was sent to Washington in regard to removing the 
Indians from Kansas to the Indian Territory. He served one term 
as mayor, and has served as clerk of the city schools for many years. 

The following is the assignment of teachers for 1889-90, the 
first one named being the principal in each case: 

High School. — H. G. Larimer, Richard A. Minckwitz, Marga- 
ret M. Hill, Kate Harriman. 

Branner School. — Mary L. Sabin, Nona M. Wood, Alice Rupp, 
Mary C. West, Mrs. Sue Benton, Kate M. Brown, Lulu M. Mur- 
ray, Maude H. Chamberlain, Mrs. C. F. Menninger. 

Buchanan School. — W. D. Donnell, Fred. Roundtree, Sue R. 
Lovell, Harriet McCoy. 

Clay School. — Mary A. Woods, Emma Silver, Ella T. McKer- 
nan, Linda R. Haines, Emma C. Farren, Etta Clark, Ada Fulcher, 
Maggie Nesbaum. 

Douglas School.— G. W. Cable, Mrs. D. H. Watkins. 

Euclid School. — Jasper M. Howard, Belle Bennett, Elnora J. 
McCay, Madge E. Moore, Ida Hosack. 

Garfield School. — Elizabeth Mclntire, Lida McF. Patterson, 
Martha McCoy, Julia E. Smith. 

Grant School. — W. E. Higgins, Lida S. Hoskinson, Sarah Lef- 
fingwell, Ida M. Standfield, Mary C. Powell, May Roberts, Anna 
Ward, Amy C. Weld. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 8 1 

Harrison School. — L. L. H. Austin, H. J. Barber, Lizzie An- 
derson, Mrs. M. L. Tuckerman, Helen Stauffer, Ruth Nash, J. T. 
Cleland, Mrs. J. M. Sturgis, Lida McFerran, Mrs. M. C. Price. 

Jacksofi School. — Mary E. Wilson, Mrs. Anna B. Craven, 
Madge Patterson, Ella H. Smith. 

Lane School. — S. G. Watkins, John L. Harrison, Mattie De- 
Priest, Ella M. Glenn. 

Langston School. — C. E. Alexander, Narcissa Page. 

Liberty School. — F. H. Ayres, Dora Kirk, Lillie Lerrigo, Mrs. 
Helen M. Saunders. 

Lincoln School. — W. M. Davidson, M. S. Mitchell, Annie Sims, 
Helena Gause, Alice L. McCoy, Clara Bosworth, Blanche Stew- 
art, Alice Gallagher, Regina V. Mills, Carrie Holdridge. 

Loivman Hill School. — John L. Williams, Daisy L. McCamp- 
bell, Fannie George, Bertha Johnson. 

Madison School. — W. J. Johnson, C. H. Richardson, Gertrude 
Green, Sue Stevenson. 

Monroe School. — C. F. Clinkscale, Carrie Boughton, R. H. 
Wade, Mrs. M. E. Cable. 

Parkdale School. — E. C. Samson, Maude E. McKirahan, Mat- 
tie Williamson, Julia S. Tripp, Mildred Griesen. 

Polk School. — Etta Montgomery, Jessie F. Mansfield, Alice 
Patterson, Lizzie J. Davis, Jennie M. Clarkson, Flora A. Bunker. 

Quincy School. — Bert Fesler, Viola Troutman, Wilhelmina 
Wherland, Delia Perkins, Allie Brown, Mamie Riley, May Mon- 
teith, Mrs. Kate E. Smith. 

Sumner School. — Jennie M. Evans, Mrs. Estella L. Ewing, 
Annie R. Monteith, Jennie Montgomery. 

Van Buren School. — Mary L. Gridley, Camilla Campbell. 

Washington School. — W. J. Anderson, J. M. Wright, Ella 
Phelps, Adelia L. Waring. 

At the close of 18S9 there were twenty-three schools, nearly all 
located in well-constructed and equipped buildings, and employing 
120 teachers. The organization was as follows: 

President of the board of education: R. B. Welch. 

Members of the board: First ward, E. D. Brazier, J. W. Priddy ; 
second ward, Jesse Shaw, C. O. Knowles; third ward, J. C. Bur- 
nett, Mrs. L. M. Garretson; fourth ward, Elias Shull, R. B. Welch; 
fifth ward, T. A. Beck, Mrs. A. D. Matson. 

Clerk: H. W. Farnsworth. 
— 6 



82 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

Superintendent: John M. Bloss. 

There were in daily attendance 4,057 pupils. 

The city pays its superintendent of schools a salary of $2,500 a 
year, and liberal salaries to all its teachers; special ability in primary 
work receives special recognition; so does length of term of service. 



COLLEGE OF THE SISTERS OF BETHANY. 

This is a school for young ladies, and one of the institutions 
Kansas is proud of, and well may the citizens of Topeka point 
with pride to this institution of learning; in the midst of the busy, 
populous city, it appears like a refreshing oasis. Its site contain.:; 
twenty acres of land. The charter for the college was given by 
the territorial Legislature. One writer says, "This institution 
must have caught some of the progressive spirit of those early and 
active days, for it has always kept pace with the growth and devel- 
opment of the State, and may even be said to be a step in advance 
of the march of civilization and improvements, not only in Kansas, 
but in that vast and uncertain region referred to as 'the West.' 
A school of such extent and excellence would be an ornament and 
an honor to any of the older States of the Union, and is something 
to boast of even in Kansas, where we are accustomed to the grand- 
est achievements in industry, government, education, and all that 
pertains to the highest type of civilization and citizenship." 

The charter was first granted for the institution to be located at 
Tecumseh, but on the 29th day of January, 1861, the next charter 
was granted under the name of "The Episcopal Female Seminary 
of Topeka," the very day that Kansas was made a State. Medary 
was Governor of the Territory at that time; he opposed the bill. 

September 12, 1S61, the following board of trustees was elected: 
John W. Farnsworth, F. W. Giles, Joseph E. Ryan, J. W. Bodine 
and George Fairchild. Bishop Vail was elected president Septem- 
ber 14, 1864; Governor Shannon had held the position until then. 

Among its first friends was the Rev. Herman Dyer, D. D., of 
New York. He received at least $30,000 from different persons 
with which to begin the erection of buildings and for the necessi- 
ties of the school. The first building was erected and paid for in 
1 87 1. It consists of three sections, the second and third having 
four stories above the basement, all extending 100 feet front, and 



5£ ~: 




TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 83 

74 feet deep. Wolfe Hall comprises the south section, named in 
honor of David Wolfe, of New York, who presented the money 
for its erection. The first term of school held in the hall was in 
1 87 1. Mr. Wolfe donated $18,000, and his daughter, Miss Cath- 
erine L. Wolfe, gave $14,000. 

In 1872, the name was changed to the "College of the Sisters of 
Bethany." 

In 1880, Bishop Vail again visited the East in behalf of the col- 
lege. Its rooms were crowded, and pupils were coming in daily. 
He received a gift from Miss Holmes, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. 
Her brother had been a generous benefactor during his lifetime, 
and his sister, Miss Jane Holmes, donated $16,000, which com- 
pleted Holmes Hall, in 18S1. This building is three stories high, 
with an attic, and has lai - ge and comfortable rooms for students. 

In 18S4, Miss Sarah Burr, of New York, gave $10,000, for 
whom Burr Hall is named. 

Rev. John N. Lee succeeded Rev. O. N. Preston as rector of the 
parish, and in I/872 he was elected to the position of president as- 
sociate, and remained with the seminary until 1S74. 

There are fine reading rooms connected with the library, where 
the students can have access to the best literature and reference 
books found in any college. The library contains some 2,000 vol- 
umes. The college property, including buildings, furniture and 
apparatus, is now valued at $400,000. There is no endowment 
fund, or endowed scholarship. The gross income for the past ten 
years has been from $20,000 to $30,000. 

The number of students in attendance during 18S9-90 was 395. 

To the late Bishop Vail this college is a lasting monument. In 
connection with the history of the Episcopal Church of Topeka, 
will be found a sketch of his life. 



WASHBURN COLLEGE. 

The grounds and buildings of Washburn College are on an em- 
inence one and a half miles southwest of the State House. The 
site includes over one hundred and fifty acres. Street cars run reg- 
ularly every twenty minutes from railway depots and all parts of 
the city to the college grounds. The location is one of the most 
healthful and desirable that could be secured, sufficiently near to 



84 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

enjoy the advantages of a city of 60,000 inhabitants, and at the 
same time favored with the retirement of a suburb. 

The college is not a sectarian institution. Its object is to give 
the highest and best culture. It fosters moral and religious influ- 
ences as the safeguards of youth. 

In the spring of 1S57, the General Association of Congrega- 
tional Ministers and Churches of Kansas conceived the idea of 
founding a Christian college in Kansas. At the organization of 
the Association at Topeka, April 26, 1857, the following resolu- 
tion was passed: "That a committee of five be raised to obtain 
information in regard to the location of a college, under the pat- 
ronage of this body, and, if they deem it expedient, to secure a lo- 
cation." The committee appointed were Rev. Lewis Bodwell, 
now of Clifton Springs, New York; Rev. J. U. Parsons, deceased; 
Rev. Wm. A. McCollom, of Council Grove; Col. John Ritchie, 
of Topeka, and the late Henry M. Simpson, of Lawrence. In 
July, 1858, the committee advertised for bids for the location. 
Lawrence, Topeka and other points competed. » 

The committee was to meet on the 15th of August of that 
year and decide on the location, but owing to the " remonstrances 
of friends" it was decided to refer the decision to the General As- 
sociation at its next meeting, at Manhattan, in October. The fol- 
lowing is the report of the committee to the Association: 

"The committee appointed at Topeka, April, 1857, to take measures for the 
location of a Congregational college would report that, after a meeting duly ap- 
pointed for the hearing of proposals from all interested in the cause, and after a 
still further delay of nearly two months made by special request, they received no 
proposal which in liberality and in point of geographical position is more favorable 
than that made by the citizens of Topeka. The following is the proposal which 
we recommend for the acceptance of the Association: 'One hundred and sixty 
acres of land within a mile and a half of Topeka town site; 840 acres in the Ter- 
ritory as an endowment; and a building equal to forty by fifty feet and two stories 
high, of stone or brick, to be completed on or before January 1, i860.' 

"J. Ritchie, Chairman." 

After "thorough discussion," the Association adopted the propo- 
sition, and appointed a committee to nominate a board of trustees. 
The committee consisted of Revs. R. Cordley, R. D. Parker and 
Lewis Bodwell. During the session this committee reported a ba- 
sis of organization, which provided, in addition to other stipula- 
tions, that "the twenty acres on the Topeka town site should not 
be sold for less than $250 an acre," and that the trustees "proceed 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES, %X 

at once to offer and pay liberal salaries <<> their professors." In ac- 
cordance with the report, fourteen trustee! were chosen, viz.: 

Rev. Elihu Whitenhall, of Nemaha eoiintv, deceased; Rev. G. C. 
Morse, of Emporia, deceased; Rev. Lewis Bodwell; T. 1). 

Thacher; Rev. R. Cordleyj Samuel C. Pomeroyj James Taylor, 
of Leavenworth, deceased; Rev. C. L. Blood, of Manhattan, de- 
ceased; II. D.Rice; Henry M. Simpson, of Lawrence, deceased; 
Rev. R. I). Parker; George I. Hilly er, of Valley Palls, deceased ; 
Major Harrison Hannahs, now of Rome, New York; M. C. 

Welch, of Wabaunsee-. 

At the next meeting of the Association, at Lawrence, in May, 
[859, a special committee <>f live was appointed to ascertain 

whether the citizens of Topeka had fulfilled the conditions of the 
agreement in regard to location. The committee reporting in the 
negative, the location again became an open question. An oppor- 
tunity was given then and there for new bids. Topeka, Lawrence, 

Burlingame and Wabaunsee entered into competition. From the 

report of an eye witness, the hour was one of great enthusiasm 
and almost tragic interest. The Lawrence Subscription paper was 
the most formidable document ever presented to a Kansas assem- 
bly. It began to be unrolled at the door, thence to the desk of the 
moderator, and back again to the starting point. All other com- 
petitors, for the moment, were struck dumb with astonishment. 
The proposition was as follows: Mt. Oread as a site for the col- 
lege; twenty acres of land adjoining the college grounds; 1,220 
acres located in different parts of the Territory; 1^1 lots in Law- 
rence, Burlington, Delaware, and in other towns; the Amos Law- 
rence fund of $10,000, and a building to be commenced within six 
months and to be completed in eighteen months, at a cost of 
$25,000. 

The proposition was adopted by a vote of seventeen to three. 
S. N. Simpson, Esq., now of Wyandotte, was chosen financial 
agent to solicit funds, and the college was called "The Monu- 
mental College." Soon after, an editorial appeared in the Boston 
Journal, endorsing " Monumental College' 1 as destined to become 
one of the most auspicious institutions in the land. 

The year following, known as "the year of drouth," resulted in 
an almost entire failure of crops throughout the Territory. This, 
together with other reasons, prevented work on the proposed build- 
ing and the expenditure of $25,000 as contemplated. 



86 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

At the next annual meeting of the Association, at Topeka, 
May, i860, another special committee of five was appointed to in- 
vestigate the status of the college. As a result of their report, the 
institution was moved back to Topeka on substantially the original 
proposition made by the citizens of Topeka. Then it was easy to 
move the college; a simple resolution could do it. 

The next mention of the effort to found an institution of learn- 
ing was at the meeting of the Association, at Leavenworth, in 
May, 1 86 1. The business committee reported a statement from 
Major H. W. Farnsworth, of Topeka, president of the board of 
trustees of "The Topeka Institute," and, on motion of Rev. R. 
Cordley, it was voted: "That we consider the letter of H. W» 
Farnsworth in regai'd to this institution of learning fair and just, 
and we recommend that the trustees secure a charter for the insti- 
tution, and that the property already acquired be transferred to 
this incorporated body, and that security be received by said board 
for the erection of said building." 

During 1861 and 1862 civil dissensions and war raged. The 
public attention was absorbed in the problem of national perpetu- 
ity. Who could venture on such an undertaking when the Nation 
itself seemed to be in jeopardy ? But even in the midst of civil 
war, the idea of a Christian college, which had been so long and 
so fondly cherished, was germinating with the potency of peren- 
nial life. At the meeting of the General Association, at Burlin- 
game, May, 1863, it was resolved that steps be at once taken to 
secure an endowment fund; to appoint a board of nine trustees;, 
and that the academy should be open to both sexes. 

The trustees appointed were, as they appear on the roll, Revs. 
Peter McVicar, R. Cordley, S. D. Storrs, Dr. E. Tefft, Rev. J. D. 
Liggett, now of Detroit, Michigan, Prof. J. E. Piatt, H. D. Rice,. 
H. D. Preston, of Burlingame, deceased, and R. M. Wright, of 
Council Grove. 

In the latter part of 1864 and in the opening months of 1865 
light began to dawn upon the Nation. Sherman was marching tri- 
umphantly to the sea, while Grant was holding the siege at Rich- 
mond, thus rendering the victory of the Union army assured. 

In February, 1865, a few months prior to the close of the civil 
war, the first legal steps were taken in the founding of the college 
as a corporate institution. A charter was drawn, and the college 
became duly incorporated under the laws of the State, on Febru- 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 87 

ary 6, 1S65, under the name and style of "Trustees of Lincoln 
College." 

Among the features of the charter were provisions that educa- 
tion should be afforded without distinction of color, and the aim to 
aid deserving young men to fit for the ministry. 

The first board of trustees was: Revs. Peter McVicar, S. D. 
Storrs, J. D. Liggett, Ira H. Smith, R. Cordley, Major H. Han- 
nahs, Col. John Ritchie, H. D. Rice, Esq., W. E. Bowker, Esq., 
Maj. H. W. Farns worth #nd W. H. H. Lawrence, Esq. 

In the spring of 1865, an effort was made to secure subscriptions 
for the erection of a building and for the purchase of a site. Over 
$7,000 was subscribed. The most generous subscriptions were 
those of Col. John Ritchie, of $3,000, and H. D. Rice, Esq., of 
$1,000. In part pay of his subscription, Col. Ritchie deeded to 
the college, in fee simple, the 160 acres on which the permanent 
buildings now stand. The 160 acres were valued then at $2,400. 

The academy building first erected was located on the corner of 
Tenth and Jackson streets, and is now used for public school pur- 
poses. It was commenced in the spring of 1865, and completed 
in December of the same year, at a cost of about $S,ooo, and was 
then considered one of the finest edifices in the city. 

In June, 1866, Rev. H. Q. Butterfield, now president of Olivet 
College, Michigan, was called to the chair of the Greek and Latin 
languages and literature. In 1868, the late Dea. Ichabod Wash- 
burn, of Worcester, Mass., largely through Dr. Butterfield's per- 
sonal influence, became interested in the college and subsequently 
donated $25,000 towards an endowment. In view of this generous 
gift, and for other reasons, the name of the college was changed 
to Washburn College. 

In February, 1871, Dr. Peter McVicar was elected president. 

At that time the great need of the institution seemed to be an 
enlargement of buildings for the accommodation of students. Ac- 
cordingly an effort was made in the fall of 1871 to secure $5,000 
from the citizens of Topeka for the erection of a boarding house. 
During the progress of this effort, the desire seemed to develop on 
the part of some to begin more permanent improvements, and on 
a larger scale, on the permanent site. The boarding-house project 
was abandoned. Capt. J. G. Haskell was employed as architect, 
to draw plans and specifications for the main college building, at 
an estimated cost of $60,000. An effort of twenty-five days in the 



88 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

city resulted in subscriptions to the amount of $25,000, at the rate 
of $1,000 a day. The city purchased the academy building and 
site at $15,000. The work of securing additional subscriptions 
was still further prosecuted. 

Work commenced June, 1872, and in December of the same 
year the edifice was enclosed, at a cost of over $40,000. 

In the fall of 1874, the college moved into its main building on 
what is now known as "College Hill." The location then seemed 
a long way out. Some thought it a suicidal move; others thought 
we were moving out to Wabaunsee county. But to-day shows it 
to be in the right place. 

The main building as it now stands cost about $65,000. What 
rendered it specially difficult to carry through the enterprise was 
the fact that 1873, 1874, and even 1875, were years of great finan- 
cial depression throughout the land, and Kansas had to bear the 
burden of the grasshoppers in addition. 

As the work of the college developed, the need arose for sepa- 
rate homes for young women. In 1879, the means were secured 
in Hartford, Conn., and vicinity, and in Kansas, for the erection of 
what is now known as "Hartford Cottage," at a cost of about 
$3,000. Of this amount Mrs. Louisa Nichols, of New Britain, 
contributed $1,400, and the late Chas. Boswell, of West Hartford, 
$500. 

In the winter of 1876, the president called at Whitinsville, Conn., 
to see the late J. C. Whitin, whose name had been long associated 
with benevolent objects East and West. Mr. Whitin was absent 
at the time. In 1882 the president made another visit, but learned 
from his pastor, Rev. John R. Thurston, that Mr. Whitin was ill. 
Under the circumstances it was concluded best not to call, and the 
return train was taken with the feeling that both visits had been in 
vain. A few months later, however, a letter bearing the imprint 
"J. C. Whitin" came, enclosing a draft for $10,000. It was sent 
by the widow and daughter of the deceased, with the statement 
that, had Mr. Whitin lived a few days longer, he would have sent 
it by his own hand. It was one of his last requests that the col- 
lege should share in his beneficence. As the gift was left free to 
be applied as the trustees thought best, the result was the erection 
of what is now known as "South Cottage" for young women, 
and the "Whitin Hall" for young men. 

In July, 1884, the late Chas. Boswell, of West Hartford, Conn., 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 89 

pledged $10,000 towards a library building, provided the trustees 
of the college secured $5,000 additional for the same object. The 
proposition was accepted by the trustees, and Haskell & Wood, of 
Topeka, employed as architects to prepare plans and specifications 
for the building. It was named the "Boswell Library." 

It is due to the memory of Mr. Boswell to state that for many 
years he had been deeply interested in the college. This interest 
was manifested first by establishing a fund of $10,000, the interest 
of which was to be applied in aid of deserving young men strug- 
gling for an education. Subsequently Mr. Boswell donated, as 
above stated, $500 towards the erection of Hartford Cottage. 
Still later, he gave the college bell. A few years previous to his 
decease he established a library fund of $1,000 in memory of his 
only son, Chas. Miner Boswell, who died while a member of the 
junior class at Yale College. To this fund he added $9,000 by 
will. In addition to all this, Mr. Boswell provided by his will 
that the college shall be made a one-third residuary legatee of his 
estate. The edifice is none too good to bear the honored name of 
such a benefactor. 

In 1885, Miss Mary W. Holbrook, of Holbrook, Mass., became 
interested in our work, and pledged $5,000 towards the erection of 
a building for young women, provided a like amount should be 
added for the same object. Her kind and generous offer was ac- 
cepted. When it became assured that the additional amount could 
be secured, Messrs. Hopkins & Holland, of Topeka, were em- 
ployed as architects, and the present plan adopted. 

The chapel building, dedicated June 15, 1890, is the latest of the 
buildings of the college. The cost was over $32,000. Of this 
amount, $15,000 was the gift of Mr. Wm. A. Slater, of Norwich, 
Conn. 

The chapel is a handsome stone structure, of two stories and 
basement, and contains a beautiful audience room, occupying the 
second story, seating 700 persons, and which, with platform and 
aisles, can be made to accommodate 1,000. The other floors con- 
tain a Y. M. C. A. room, seven fine recitation rooms, and a fire- 
proof vault for the college records. T. H. Lescher, of Topeka, 
was the architect. 

This building furnishes the long-needed spacious audience room. 
It is finely located on the college campus, and is a handsome and 
sightly structure. 



9<D TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

The buildings and grounds of Washburn College, reached by 
both the electric and horse railway, are decidedly worth seeing. 

Thus, as the history shows, all the buildings are the fruitage 
largely of the beneficence of Christian people. In all, the build- 
ings have cost about $150,000. 



INGLESIDE. 

Ingleside is a Scotch word, meaning home, or fireside. In the 
fall of 1 88 1, Mrs. Gov. John P. St. John assembled the ladies of 
Topeka who were interested in the welfare of their sex, and with 
them the leading ministers of the city, all of whom spoke encour- 
agingly of the undertaking that was to establish a home for work- 
ing women and children. Governor St. John spoke of the num- 
ber of respectable women who had applied to him for positions 
and aid. This home would give them an opportunity of finding 
employment, besides their having a home to shelter them from the 
storm, and not to be left to the care of some friend, perhaps as poor, 
almost, as they themselves. In November, 1881, Ingleside was 
founded. 

It was not until February, 1SS6, that it was incorporated, by 
Jennie P. St. John, Eliza W. B. Bowman, Mary W. Hudson, Ma- 
ria Teresa Horner, Annie McFarland, Sarah A. Thurston, Marie 
E. Castle and Sarah A. Mulvane. 

As soon as the organization was completed, arrangements were 
made to open the "home." The stone house on the corner of 
Twelfth and Van Buren streets was rented and opened. It 
was neatly furnished and in a few weeks the new home was 
full; "Ingleside" was soon a household word with every family 
in Topeka. Miss Mary J. Hayes was chosen matron, and, by her 
careful and punctual attention to the duties of the institution, she 
has made it prosperous. It is an institution for the better class of 
women, who teach, sew, or clerk; for stenographers and printers;' 
for those who pay board. In Ingleside they have all the conven- 
iences of a private boarding house, or hotel, with the quiet of a 
home. The board is three dollars a week, with room furnished. 

To say who has not in some way contributed to Ingleside, of 
the many citizens of Topeka, would be a question hard to solve. 

The institution has prospered, and during the summer of 1889, 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



91 



a brick building was erected on the corner of Huntoon and Tyler 
streets, at a cost of $12,000, and the ladies of the city have furnished 
the house almost completely. The building is mostly paid for, 
only $2,500 being back. The " U and I Club," composed of young 
ladies, has paid the board of old ladies who were not able to help 
themselves, but they contemplate building a home of their own 
now, and have ceased that part of the duty which they have so faith- 
fully performed for several years. Never has an institution met 
with as encouraging a sentiment from the public as Ingleside. 
Entertainments have been given, and all that a charity-loving peo- 
ple could do has been done to assist in building it up and support- 
ing it. Though only a few years old, many, many a poor woman 
and child has found in it a good home. 



THE TOPEKA ORPHANS' HOME. 

One of the best charitable institutions in the city, the Topeka 
Orphans' Home, is situated on the corner of Quincy and Eleventh 
streets. Poor, unfortunate innocents are cared for by those who 
have hearts that are tender and loving. 

The "Kansas Industrial School and Home for Children," as it 
was formerly known, was opened April 1, 1888, on Fillmore street, 
near Euclid avenue, having for its object the care and protection 
of orphan and destitute children. It was decided April 1, 1889, to 
re-charter and take the name of "The Topeka Orphans' Home 
Association," the charter members being Mrs. J. D. Ela, Mrs. N. 
E. Holliday, Mrs. M. A. Hughes, Mrs. B. A. Sain and Mrs. W. 
W. Gavitt. Mrs. J. D. Ela was chosen president for the first year, 
1888, and Mrs. M. A. Hughes for 1889. A board of directors was 
elected, as follows: Mrs. N. E. Holliday, Mrs. W. W. Gavitt, Mrs. 
M. A. Hughes, Mrs. J. D. Ela, Mrs. B. A. Sain, Mrs. Olive Knox, 
Mrs. B. E. McHale, Mrs. Mattie Burriss, Mrs. Martha Payne, 
Mrs. Anna Crane and Mrs. E. A. Daws. A board of advisory 
directors was appointed, consisting of five gentlemen, viz.: Dr. F. 
S. McCabe, Mr. S. S. Hughes, Judge G. W. Carey, Capt. J. B. 
Johnson and Mr. P. G. Noel. 

The home opened on Fillmore street near Euclid avenue was 
inconvenient, and September 1, 1889, it was moved to Quincy and 
Eleventh streets, where it is now located. 



92 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

Mr. H. D. Rice has donated to the home five acres of land east 
of the city, and the trustees hope to be able to erect a building 
soon upon their own grounds. 

Miss H. K. Bardsley, the matron, has made an excellent mother 
for those poor little waifs who have been left in her charge. 
Those who are without parents and protectors are taken in and 
adopted until good homes are found for them, where they are 
sent, with the agreement that such foster parents or guardians 
shall treat them well, or they will be taken from them. Children 
whose mothers have to work away from their own homes can be 
boarded there at $1.00 per week, and be taken care of; that is, if 
the mothers are able to pay the board. If not, they are only asked 
to pay what they can, and in many instances they are kept free. 

With many charitable ladies is Topeka blest. She has been 
justly called the city of churches; and in each church, of which 
there are many, are scores of women who are constantly doing 
some charitable deed, some Christian work. There is no other 
city of forty or fifty thousand inhabitants where there are so few 
poor. 

The money now earned by the people is made use of for the 
necessities of life. No saloon keeper or dram seller is taking the 
last cent of the poor man's wages, while his children are begging 
for bread. Close the saloons in the whole United States; then 
the paupers and tramps will belong to the past ! 



THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

It was not until 1870 that Topeka had an apparatus for extin- 
guishing conflagrations. In February, 1870, a Silsby steam fire 
engine, two hand hose carts and 1,500 feet of rubber hose were 
obtained, and a volunteer company of firemen organized. In No- 
vember of that year, Mr. Tobias Billings was chosen chief of the 
company, and soon after a hand hook and ladder truck and ladders 
were purchased. 

In April, 1872, Mr. G. O. Wilmarth was elected to the com- 
mand of the fire department, and still continues in that office. 

The public water service was introduced into the city July 1, 
1882. Prior to this, the fire department depended upon cisterns 




nil,, i 



-i 




TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 93 

placed on Kansas avenue, and filled with water pumped from the 
river. 

For two or three years the organization had its headquarters on 
the west side of Quincy, between Fifth and Sixth streets. In 
1S73, the city built a one-story stone building near that locality. 
In 1S74, the city erected a one story building on Kansas avenue 
near Seventh street, for the care of such apparatus as it was desired 
to keep in that part of the city. The Champion chemical engine 
was the first machine stationed there. In 187S, the pleasant and 
commodious quarters on Seventh street, Fire Station No. 2, be- 
tween Kansas avenue and Jackson street, were established, and 
there the headquarters of the department have been since. Here, 
also, is the office as the fire marshal. 

Fire Station No. 1 is located at 930 Kansas avenue, North To- 
peka, and No. 4 at 813 Clay street. 

Fire Station No. 3, is on Jefferson street, between Third and 
Fourth, and was established in 1882, in a one story stone and brick 
building, erected by the city for that purpose. In 1886, the build- 
ing was enlarged, and a second story added. The total cost of the 
building when completed was about $5,200. The station is com- 
modious and convenient in all respects, and two companies are sta- 
tioned here, comprising in all ten men, being Hose Company No. 
3, and Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. The men employed at 
this station are all colored men. 

The value of the real estate, apparatus and appliances belong- 
ing to the entire department is estimated at $60,000. Chief Wil- 
marth laid the foundation for the present full-paid system, by 
selecting sixteen of the best men from the volunteer service, and 
drilling them for duty; and the result is, we have the most com- 
plete and perfect fire organization in any city in the West. 

In 1882, the Gamewell fire alarm telegraph was introduced, at a 
cost of $3,225. The annual expense of the fire department to the 
city is about $20,000, which includes the ordinary purchases of 
some new material, apparatus, and horses. 

The large bell at the headquarters is rung at the first signal sent 
in from the boxes, and the same message is sent to the office of the 
water works, which are situated on the Kansas river at its intersec- 
tion with Tyler street. 



94 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



RAPID TRANSIT STREET RAILWAY. 

In 1886, a company was formed by our most enterprising citi- 
zens to build a street railway from the most extreme southern sub- 
urbs of the city of Topeka to the extreme northeastern. 

Messrs. John Francis, J. B. Bartholomew, John Norton, J. W. 
Morris and Jonathan Thomas incorporated the Rapid Transit 
Street Railway Company November 6, 1886. The officers were: 
John Francis, president; J. W. Morris, vice president; John Nor- 
ton, secretary; J. B. Bartholomew, treasurer. The road was to 
be a steam motor system, and the capital was $250,000. 

The main line was surveyed from Quinton Heights to Oakland, 
with lines running on the most important streets, reaching all 
points of interest, depots, hotels, colleges and public buildings, the 
main line running on Jackson street from Twelfth street to Sec- 
ond street. 

The road was constructed in the most durable style, standard 
gauge, with 38-pound Johnston steel rails, and the steam motors 
were manufactured by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, having a 
separate motor for each coach. The equipment was all new and 
first class. Buildings were erected on Twelfth and Jackson streets 
for offices and stations. 

The citizens talked, wondered, and scolded; said that the steam 
motors would ruin that part of the city through which they passed, 
that horses would be frightened, children killed, and grown people 
maimed for life; but the motors were put on and the road began 
operations with Mr. F. J. Payne as superintendent, and with over 
eighteen miles of track. 

Two weeks passed, and they could not accommodate the throng 
of passengers, who had forgotten that they would be afraid to ride 
on the new road. 

Two of the most attractive additions to the city began to build 
up. All classes began to make homes in these suburbs, now that 
access was made easy by the "Rapid Transit." Business men left 
the dusty, crowded streets, and found that their homes were de- 
lightful. The working classes bought, turning the rent that they 
had been paying on a home of their own, and now many a poor 
man owns his home as a result of the enterprise of the "Rapid 
Transit" projectors. The road was a favorite from the beginning, 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



95 



and too much praise could not be bestowed on the company. The 
steam motors were used from September i, 1887, to December 1, 
1888. 

The projectors, still looking for improvements, began to inves- 
tigate the electric system, and in the latter part of the fall of 188S 
the site for a large plant was selected and purchased, on the corner 
of Jefferson and Second streets. The building was erected and 
ready for the machinery March 15th, and thirty days later this, 
the largest electric plant in the world, was completed. During 
the time the building was going up, and the track was being re- 
modeled, the steam motors were taken off and horse cars substi- 
tuted. What a change! The long road seemed ten times longer 
than ever. The poor horses had to jog along through mud, snow 
and ice. Citizens now had to growl and scold that they were 
afraid they would never have any but horse cars, when one year 
before they growled and wanted horse cars. From late in the fall 
till the first of April they complained, and then they were well re- 
paid for the time they had to wait. On April 15, 18S9, the elec- 
tric motors were put in, and now the citizens of Topeka and of the 
suburbs traversed by the "Electric Rapid Transit" never grow 
tired of showing their visiting friends over this line, forgetting 
that it was ever the cause of complaint. 

The number of passengers on Sundays can scarcely be accommo- 
dated with the cars now in use. During one day of the State fair, 
last fall, 33,000 passengers passed over the road. It is kept in the 
best of running order, and only two or three times have the pas- 
sengers been delayed by the breaking of a wire. Mr. J. M. Pat- 
ten, general manager and superintendent, is one of the most 
successful and energetic railroad men in the West. The men at 
the head are among the moral citizens, and they employ the best of 
men. The conductors and motorneers, always in neat uniforms, 
are courteous and well behaved. Some have been teachers in our 
public schools, others are students from the different colleges, and 
many are farmers. There are at present some seventy men em- 
ployed on the lines. 

A transfer station has been built on Eighth and Jackson streets, 
and a neat waiting room has been erected at Potwin. These are 
heated in winter, so there may be no uncomfortable waiting in the 
cold for a car. Since the "Rapid Transit" took possession of 
Jackson street, some of the finest business houses in the city have 



96 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

been erected along this thoroughfare, and others are in course of 
construction, thus drawing business to a street which had hitherto 
been considered too remote for retail business houses. 

The plant of the Topeka Rapid Transit Electric Railway Com- 
pany is the largest of its kind in the world. It is located on Sec- 
ond street, between Jefferson and Madison streets. The building, 
100 x 75 feet, faces south on Second street, and the largest smoke 
stack in the capital city towers above it. The building is a two- 
story brick, trimmed with stone, and is a solid structure, the de- 
signer taking especial pains to make it in every respect in keeping 
with the splendid plant which it contains. 

The idea which suggests itself most forcibly to the visitor when 
first entering the building, and remains uppermost in his mind 
after a close scrutiny of the plant throughout, is the massiveness 
of the machinery and its solidity and ponderousness. Two mam- 
moth engines, one of 300 and one of 600 horse power, each with a 
twenty-foot drive wheel, the former with a thirty-inch belt rim, 
and the latter forty-inch, are attached to the line of shafting con- 
necting with the nine dynamos on the opposite side of the room. 
The average speed of the machinery is eighty revolutions per 
minute for the drive wheels, 300 for the pulleys on the main shaft- 
ing, and 900 for the dynamos. The main shafting, upon which the 
seven dynamo pulleys rest, is the largest in any similar institution ' 
in the country, being a thirteen-inch bar'of hammered iron. A set 
of loose pulleys beside the dynamo pulleys rest on a sleeve around 
the main shaft but not upon it, flat places in the bearings being 
thus avoided and the main shaft being relieved of a dead weight 
of 65,000 pounds, and the friction incident to such a weight. This 
is a new feature which has interested and commended itself to 
practical machinists everywhere. The bearings are all of phos- 
phor bronze and the shaftings of hammered iron, which is superior 
in all respects to steel. A generator can be instantly stopped by 
throwing its belt upon these loose pulleys. The generators of the 
dynamos rest upon foundations independent of each other and of 
the building alike. The foundations are constructed in a most 
substantial manner, of concrete, upon a hard brick foundation 
which sets ten feet in the ground. 

The fire room is between the engine rooms and is isolated from 
them by double brick walls, which adds to the safety of the plant 
in the matter of fire and otherwise. The boiler plant consists of 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



97 



five seventy-two-inch steel boilers, arranged in one battery, set in 
masonry. Their economical capacity is 800 horse power. The 
boilers were manufactured by Joseph Bromich, of this city, and 
are not to be surpassed in make by the manufactures of any other 
boiler-making establishment in the country. The feed-water is 
taken from driven wells, sixty-five feet deep, and pumped into an 
exhaust heater containing sixteen crescent-shaped pans. As the 
water drops from pan to pan the exhaust steam comes into contact 
with the water sixteen times, and all impurities that can be re- 
moved with a temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit are entirely 
removed. A pump, arranged for handling boiling water, takes the 
water and delivers it into a superheater twenty-six feet long, which 
is supplied with live steam direct from the boilers. The super- 
heater is also filled with conical-shaped pans, and as the tempera- 
ture is raised to 319 degrees, all impurities such as lime, magnesia, 
iron, etc., lodge upon the bottoms of these pans. By this system 
the water is put into the boilers practically free from all those im- 
purities and damaging foreign substances which are so destructive 
to boilers in this section. The water, when leaving the superheat- 
ers, does so by gravity, and the pipes are so arranged that any 
number can be run in series or can be fed independently. As ex- 
haust steam enters the first heater, an arrangement is provided by 
which the oil which is used in lubricating in the cylinders is separ- 
ated and runs out of a separate drip, while the steam keeps on and 
heats the water as described. 

The boiler room is paved, and a track for an iron hand car is 
laid upon it, so that coal can be unloaded into the hand car at the 
door from coal cars on the railroad side track just without the door, 
hauled to the furnace door and shoveled in, with but a single hand- 
ling of the coal. This is an important item in the economy of the 
plant. But it is not the most important of the improvements and 
innovations in the line of economy. The most important is an 
automatic oiling system, by which every bearing of the intricate 
machinery of the whole plant will be mechanically oiled, the oil 
recovered and re-used over and over again. The oil tank is in the 
second story; into this the oil is pumped by a force pump from 
barrels below. It is thence distributed by gravity to the countless 
bearings. The drip is run into a bag filter, passes on to a filter 
tank, whence it is forced by a pump up to the tank from which it 
glided on its soothing mission only a short time before, and makes 
— 7 



g 8 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

the same circuit again. It is estimated that the oil can thus be 
used as much as ten times, with practically no loss in volume. The 
saving is quite an item. Furthermore, with no loss of oil, the 
quantity used in lubricating need not be stinted, and instead of put- 
ting in a few drops now and then, a steady stream of oil will be 
kept running into the bearings. 

The entire plant is lighted by incandescent lamps, the current 
for which is taken from the main circuit. The electric cars are 
lighted by the same means, there being five incandescent lamps to 
each. 

The rolling equipment of the company consists of forty-three 
of the latest improved combined electric motor and passenger cars 
and fifteen tow cars. The motors were manufactured by the St. 
Louis Car Works. They are pronounced by General Manager 
Patten as fine as any used in Boston, where the rivalry among the 
five electric railways in the matter of expensive and luxuriously 
furnished rolling stock is very great. The cars are intended to 
seat twenty-two passengers, but can accommodate three times that 
number without great inconvenience. There is a non-conducting 
floor between the passengers and the two dynamos beneath the car, 
and a lightning arrester, which guarantees safety during thunder 
storms. The car is controlled by the motorneer by means of a 
crank, by which he can reverse the motor and regulate the speed 
from a scarcely perceptible movement to a maximum speed of 
twenty miles an hour. 

There are two distinct features or departments of the electrical 
railway plant, the mechanical and the electrical. The former has 
been described at length, and the latter we will attempt to describe 
so that the general reader unacquainted with technical electricity 
may understand the general principles upon which the plant is op- 
erated. The first thing is the generation of a current, and for this 
purpose there are in the plant of the Topeka Electric Rapid Tran- 
sit Railway Company nine djmamos, of the Thomson-Houston 
make, of eighty horse power each, giving a potential of 500 volts 
each. From these generators the conducting wires run to the 
switch board, on the north side of the building. There are four 
wires passing from each dynamo or generator to the switch board. 
The wires are of okonite, and the larger three, including insula- 
tion, are seven-eighths of an inch in diameter, the fourth and 
smaller one being but three- eighths of an inch in diameter. The 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 99 

wires pass under the floor to the switch board. In fact, all of the 
wires about the plant are under the floors or between walls, being 
entirely out of sight. The switch board is a contrivance where all 
the currents center and are fed into the lines, where it is taken by 
the motors which propel the cars. The switch board is so ar- 
ranged that any one or all of the dynamos may be used to supply 
the line with electricity, independently or together. At the lower 
part of the switch board is a row of nine instruments called rheo- 
stats, or gauges, which regulate and control the potential (or the 
electric pressure) of the plant. Above this row is a row of cut- 
out switches, by which the current for each individual generator is 
switched on or off the main line. There is one of these for each 
dynamo. Still above these upon the switch board are the ampere 
meters, which register the amount of current generated by each 
machine, or dynamo. The last item in the switch board is a cut- 
out switch for the field of the dynamo, which is connected with 
incandescent lamps for destroying the spark of the switch. 

The switch board is sixteen feet long by nine feet high. It is 
•constructed of a light-colored hard wood, nicely painted and fin- 
ished, and, as the apparatus is principally of brass and mahogany, 
the whole is quite attractive, and also apparently complicated to the 
unskilled. 

The motors take the current from the overhead conductor by 
means of an arm of iron, hinged at the top of the car and controlled 
by a spring in such a way that the trolley wheel that rolls along 
-under the wire is kept in continuous contact with the wire, allow- 
ing for all deviations in height from the ground. The current 
passes from this arm direct to the lightning arrester, which is an 
arrangement preventing any danger to passengers from lightning 
during thunder storms. The lightning arrester is a positive and 
absolute protection from this danger. The current then passes 
to the controlling switches, which are operated by means of han- 
dles from the platform of the car, by the motorneer, through the 
motors, where the current is changed to mechanical energy, this 
energy being communicated to the driving wheels by means of 
spur gearing. From the motors the negative current returns 
through the rails, and by means of wires under ground, back to the 
generator. At each joint where a break occurs in the rails, copper 
wires have been riveted in to insure a continuous track for the 
•current. 



IOO TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

The station and the motors are lighted by electricity generated 
from the same generators furnishing the power for propelling the 
motors and cars. 

A. H. Hayward, one of the best electricians of the country, 
superintended the construction of the electrical apparatus for this 
plant, and others erected by the Thomson-Houston Company at 
Los Angeles, Cal.; Syracuse, N. Y.; Washington, D. C.j Cam- 
bridge, Mass., and elsewhere. 

The upper story of the main plant will remain unoccupied for 
the present. It was designed with a view to putting additional 
dynamos and machinery into it when the growth of the business 
demands it. The floors are very compactly built, and two brick 
walls will be built up near the center from the ground to support 
the second floor. The roof is a truss roof, leaving the large sec- 
ond floor without a pillar or obstruction of any sort. 

The electric railway has worked perfectly through severe storms 
the past winter, and has clearly proven that snow and ice are no 
hindrance to the successful operation of the road. 

Mr. Williams is the company's electrician, and Mr. F. N. Brig- 
ham is chief engineer, assisted by James Howe. 



THE COPELAND HOTEL. 

The proprietor of the Copeland, J. C. Gordon, was one of the 
earliest settlers in Kansas, coming in 1854. He ^ rs ^ settled at 
Lawrence, and in March, 1S55, he moved to Topeka. He went 
into the mercantile business with Asaph Allen, in May of that 
year, and remained in business until 1S56. His brother bought 
Allen's interest, and the firm was then known as Gordon & Bro. 
Not liking the business, he sold out, and pursued the vocation of 
farming for some time, when he rented the old Topeka House, 
where the post office now stands. In 1864, he remodeled his little 
store on Kansas avenue below Fourth street, on the west side, and 
made a hotel of fifteen rooms. This was the original Gordon 
House. In 18S0, he rebuilt the hotel, which was, at that time, the 
finest in the city, containing ninety-five rooms. He sold it in 1S81 
for $52,000, invested in real estate, and not until June, 1882, did 
he begin work on the fine hotel which is situated on Ninth and 
Kansas avenue. From the Copeland may be obtained the finest 








—I ^ET~ — ! Pbi 



■* "'.HMMi 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. IOI 

view of the city of any public house in the city, and it is but one 
block from the State House. 

Mr. Gordon is a native of New York, having been born May 
13, 1831, in Rushford, Alleghany county. He is an active and 
shrewd business man, and has prospered in all his enterprises. 
Beginning with the little village, he has seen Topeka grow into a 
beautiful city, and his little hotel transformed into a magnificent 
palace. He married Miss Mary E. Fellows, whose parents were 
also among the earliest settlers, coming to Topeka in 1855. 

The Copeland is one of the best hostelries in the West, and is 
now headquarters for all State political and other gatherings. 
The fame of the old "Gordon" under the management of Mr. 
Gordon followed him here, and the house has enjoyed a splendid 
patronage and reputation from its opening day. The hotel was 
named for the proprietor, his second name being Copeland, by 
which he was familiarly known among the old timers. 



HOTEL THROOP. 

The Hotel Throop stands on the grounds of the old "Gordon" 
which was rebuilt and refitted in 1887, at a cost of $250,000. It 
is acknowledged by those who patronize it from the large cities to 
be the best hotel west of the Mississippi, with the exception of the 
Midland, at Kansas City. It has all the modern improvements, 
and contains 150 rooms; fifty with bath. The dining room daz- 
zles with splendor, and the suites of rooms on the second floor are 
marvels of beauty and elegance. The entire building is fitted up 
in a grand and luxurious style. The street cars pass on two sides 
of it, for all parts of the city, every few minutes. The Postal tele- 
graph has a branch office in this hotel, and the post office is within 
one block, making it, all things considered, the most convenient 
hotel in the city. The proprietor and owner, Mr. H. P. Throop, 
has invested his money with judicious business tact. 

H. P. Throop was born in Virginia, and moved to Kentucky 
with his parents when a child. He resided there until 1856, when 
he came to Kansas. He first settled in Lecompton, and remained 
there in business until he saw that town was overshadowed by 



102 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

Topeka, and moved here in 1867, entering into the real estate busi- 
ness. He has prospered beyond his expectations. By his work 
and keen eye to business, he will leave a monument to his memory 
in the city of Topeka that will stand for years after he is laid away 
to rest. He is among one of those who will "leave footprints in 
the sands of time." Besides his hotel, Mr. Throop owns large 
real estate possessions in Topeka, among them Throop's addition, 
in the southwest portion of the city, and other valuable property. 



MARSHALL'S MILITARY BAND. 

During the exciting political campaign of 1883-4, Mr. John B. 
Marshall, of the first ward, was importuned by the Republican 
Flambeau Club of North Topeka to organize a band among the 
club's members, and a successful band of twelve pieces was soon 
organized and at the head of the First Ward Republican Flam- 
beau Club. 

It was not intended, nor did any one suppose, that the band 
would last longer than the close of that presidential campaign; 
but, through the earnest solicitation of numerous citizens of the 
first ward, Mr. Marshall was induced to continue the organization. 
On November 12, 1884, a charter was obtained under the State 
laws for Marshall's Military Band, and since that date the name 
of this band has become famous throughout the United States. 
To-day the musical journals of the country accord to Marshall's 
Military Band the honor of first place among the amateur bands 
of America. 

It is the largest amateur band in the country, having at this time 
fifty members, and competent to render intelligently the highest 
grades of classical music. There are no professional musicians in 
the organization. The members are clerks, business men, me- 
chanics and artisans, and, whenever they accompany the band, are 
compelled to lose the time from their work. 

The band members have gone into their own pockets to bring 
the band to its present state of perfection. The assistance from 
the citizens has been very meager as compared with the cost of its 
maintenance and the great amount of gratuitous work every year 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 103 

by the band. Love for their splendid executive, Mr. Marshall, 
and a desire to make for Topeka a band that would attract not 
only the attention of our own Nation but the world, have induced 
the members to faithfully and earnestly labor on, hopeful that 
some day Topeka's people would see the benefits to be derived 
from a world-famous military band. 

During the summer seasons, this band, of its own volition and 
gratuitously, entertains thousands of Topeka's citizens with open 
air concerts in the parks, and is always at the head and front of 
every benevolent enterprise or entertainment, winter or summer. 

In 18S6, at the head of the Kansas department of the G. A. R., 
Marshall's Military Band was awarded the highest honors by the 
musical people of the "Golden Gate." "That Kansas band," was 
upon the tongues of everybody. Two years later, as the official 
band of the Kansas G. A. R., they made the people of St. Louis 
wonder if such a band could possibly hail from Topeka. 

By special arrangement, Marshall's Military Band was secured 
to accompany President Benjamin Harrison's old regiment from 
Indianapolis to Washington, where the regiment had been ac- 
corded the post of honor as the President's escort in the grand in- 
augural parade. The "Sunflower State" was well represented 
by her famous band at the head of that long procession. Upon 
this memorable trip, the band was entertained by the people of 
Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cumberland and Baltimore. 
Away from home, as well as at home, this band has been of in- 
calculable value to Topeka, as an advertisement of what Kansas 
is capable. 

The headquarters of Marshall's Band, in the first ward, are in 
keeping with the superior excellence of the organization itself. 
The upper floor of the James building, over the American Bank, 
is handsomely arranged and fitted up for practice room, reception 
room and library. The band owns about $5,000 worth of instru- 
ments, music, uniforms and paraphernalia incident to the furnishing 
of their rooms. Its music library contains in the neighborhood 
of 4,000 compositions. The uniforms are the richest and hand- 
somest ever worn by an amateur band in this country, having cost 
$50 each. The band is at present officered as follows: John B. 
Marshall, director; George M. Lescher, president; F. C. Lacey, 
secretary; A. W. Lacey, treasurer; F. D. Place, drum major. 
John B. Marshall, the organizer and most efficient director of 



104 TOPE K 'A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

the band which bears his name, was born in England, and before 
coming to America was a bandsman, having joined one of her 
majesty's military bands when a boy. To his executive ability 
and persevering spirit are due in a great measure the existence 
and present excellence of our band. He is beloved by his men. 
Few directors could have kept together so large a number of good 
musicians without a salaried member in the organization. 



THE SUNFLOWER BAND. 

The presence of Marshall's Military Band twice a week the 
year round, at rehearsals, has had the effect of developing in the 
first ward a number of young musicians, who, though attentive 
listeners to the beautiful strains from the band room, were not 
aware that they possessed any talent in that direction. The aver- 
age boy delights to hear a brass band, and would rather follow one 
than to eat; and how boys long to become bandsmen ! And why 
should n't they be ? Juvenile bands had been made to flourish in 
the East; why not in Topeka ? Preliminary steps were taken 
towards the organization, and an arrangement made for the pur- 
chase of instruments and the engagement of a teacher. The name 
of "Sunflower Band" was adopted, that being the floral emblem 
of Kansas. The band is composed of fourteen bright youngsters, 
ranging in age from eight to seventeen years, and all have evinced 
a surprising degree of ability. Mr. D. G. Kline, of Marshall's 
Military Band, has been employed as teacher, and is proud of his 
little army of apt and appreciative musicians. Following is the 
personnel of the first juvenile band in Topeka: John Marshall, jr., 
Harry Pence, Robert Morton, George Allen, Fred. Danvers, 
Ulysses Seal, Wm. Johnson, Robt. McMasters, Wm. Ekel, Al- 
bert Marshall, Ben. Perkins, David Gregg, Del. Metsker and 
George Carey. The band meets twice each week for rehearsal, 
and is making remarkable progress in its mastery of the rudiments. 



m 




TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 1 05 



THE MODOCS. 

This organization came first before the public in 1876, at Costa's 
Opera House, in a benefit given Professor Henry Worrall, in rec- 
ognition of his services in designing the Kansas building, in which 
the products of the State were on exhibition at the Centennial. 
In arranging the programme, a male chorus of the city's musicians 
was put down for the guards, and it became necessary to select a 
name for the organization. The Modoc Indian war had just 
ended, and the tribe was in captivity at Fort Leavenworth, where 
they were visited by people from all over the western country, and 
some one suggested the name of "Modoc Club," which was 
adopted. 

The name was an advertisement, and together with talent that 
charmed, they made a success at the start, and have become a part 
of the State in national reputation. It has upon its membership 
rolls the names of the best male vocalists Kansas has ever produced. 

T. J. Anderson, A. D. Battey, James Moore, S. R. Remington 
and Harry Overholt are the only residents of the city now, who 
were members at the time of its organization. The club now has 
rooms in the Hentig Block, which are very nicely and tastefully 
furnished. 

The Modocs are known to all the "Grand Army" men. They 
have attended all of the National Encampments, at Denver, Minne- 
apolis, San Francisco, Columbus and St. Louis, and are preparing 
to go to Boston in 1S90. They have sung for all the charitable 
entertainments in the city, and many in the State, and they have 
assisted in raising more funds for charitable purposes than any 
other organization in the West. 

The club is incorporated, with the following officers: T. J. An- 
derson, president; H. B. Gillespie, vice president; C. B. Powell, 
secretary; H. L. Shirer, treasurer; M. C. Holman, director; H. 
B. Clark, pianist. 

The city's guests are, almost without exception, entertained by 
the Modoc Club, before leaving. Teachers' associations, conven- 
tions and assemblies are always disappointed if they are not fa- 
vored by its presence. The president, Major T. J. Anderson, is 
one of the most active and wide awake men in the city, and the 
success of the club is due to his untiring energy. 



I06 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



LTNCOLN POST NO. i, G. A. R. 

The first steps, of late years, toward organizing a post of the 
G. A. R. in Topeka, were taken by some old soldiers, while en- 
gaged in decorating graves in the Topeka cemetery, on Memorial 
Day, May 30, 1881. A call for a meeting was signed by the fol- 
lowing comrades: H. X. Devendorf, T. W. Durham, F. B. Colver, 
J. G. Smith, J. D. Coddington and S. M. Wood. 

A meeting was held at the City Hall on June 29th, at which 
twenty-two persons were mustered in by Capt. J. G. Wiggin and 
Geo. Lee Brown, aides-de-camp to Gen. Walkinshaw, department 
commander. 

The following are the charter members at present in good stand- 
ing: Dr. S. E. Sheldon, A. McGregor, J. R. Dutton, T. W. Dur- 
ham, R. P. Pay, J. W. Tobias, S. M.Wood, T. L. Sexton, J. Lee 
Knight, Geo. Tauber, Wm. Irving, N. Menard, J. E. Pennick, H. 
X. Devendorf, J. W. Ellis. 

The name chosen was "Lincoln Post, No. 1." The post was 
granted special permission to take that name and number, because 
at that time that number was vacant on the department records. 

There had formerly been (1875) in Topeka a post having the 
same name and number, which was feebly attended from the first; 
and after half a dozen or so of meetings, the post failed and the 
charter was surrendered, for want of interest on the part of the 
members. The following comrades of the present Lincoln Post 
were members of the former post: Col. Thos. Johnson (since 
dead), Dr. S. E. Sheldon, Geo. Tauber, A. B. McCabe, Spencer 
P. Wade and John F. Carter. 

The organization was effected with much enthusiasm and a de- 
termination on the part of the members to make Lincoln Post, 
No. 1, the banner post of the State of Kansas in point of numbers. 

In August, owing to meritorious labor in transcribing the con- 
stitution and by-laws of the post, Miss Mollie Devendorf was 
elected as an adopted daughter of Lincoln Post, No. 1, and pre- 
sented with a G. A. R. badge. 

In December, 1881, a charter was prepared, and the post was 
regularly incorporated under the laws of the State. 

The expenditures of the post for relief for the first three years 
(188 1— 3) averaged nearly $500 per year. The total expenditures 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



IO7 



for 1SS4 were $1,933.05, of which the large sum of $822.50 was 
for relief. 

The winter of 18S4 was a very severe one; many were out of 
employment, and there was much suffering in the city of Topeka. 
To relieve a portion of this, the expenditures of Lincoln Post and 
Relief Corps for relief since January 1st, 1885, averaged over 
$200 per month, being between $1,100 and $1,200 up to the first 
day of June. About seventy per cent, of this amount was given 
to persons and the families of persons not members of the post. 
Nor has relief been confined to Topeka or even to the State of 
Kansas ; for applications, are frequent from other States for aid for 
needy old soldiers and posts, and are usually responded to in a 
substantial manner. 

The moneys thus expended for relief have been raised from 
charity fairs, balls, socials, entertainments, flambeau displays, etc., 
in addition to the regular fees and dues of members. A fair held 
in January, 1S85, netted to Lincoln Post and Relief Corps the 
handsome sum of $2,641.37. Notwithstanding all this, the relief 
fund is frequently exhausted, and on one or two occasions the post 
has had to borrow money for a time to meet pressing appeals. 

The first National Encampment that Lincoln Post attended was 
at Denver, Colorado, in 1SS3. The post was publicly compli- 
mented, though the press made no mention of it — not even the 
name of the post in the procession. The post participated in the 
State reunion, at Leavenworth, October 6 to 9, 1SS3, and was 
awarded the first prize of $200 for being the best drilled and most 
soldierly appearing post present at the reunion. At Minneapolis 
in July, 18S4, Lincoln Post was present in the grand parade, and 
was greeted eveywhere along the line of march with cheers and 
bouquets, and received proud enconiums from the daily press. As 
an incident of the day it may be mentioned, that toward the clos-e 
of the parade, after the post had already marched two or three 
miles, with the heat so great that several of the members were 
overcome and had left the ranks, as they were marching down 
Eighth avenue south and turning into Washington avenue, toward 
the Milwaukee depot, a regiment of U. S. regulars from Fort 
Snelling, resting on the platform, while waiting for a train to take 
them home, were apparently listless and tired observers of the 
very long procession that had already passed. Lincoln Post was 
marching in sections of eight; and no sooner did the first section 



108 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

wheel around the corner than it caught the eye of some of the 
waiting troops near by. The appearance of the second section 
caused a number of the soldiers to rise quickly to their feet. The 
third and fourth sections came around more perfectly, if anything, 
than the first two, and the entire regiment caught the infection 
that struck the few who were nearest at first, and presently the 
men were all on their feet. The fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth 
sections wheeling around the corner in perfect line and perfect 
step was more than that regiment could stand, and hundreds of 
helmets went high in the air and loud and prolonged cheering bid 
good bye to Lincoln Post. The post attended the National En- 
campment, at Columbus, Ohio, in 1888, having 100 men in line, 
and were accompanied by their famous drum corps, which by its 
fancy drills and movements attracted the universal attention and 
won the applause of the hundreds of thousands present. 

On Memorial Day, 1882, one year from its inception, Lincoln 
Post had 164 members. On Memorial Day, 1883, it had 370 
members in good standing, an increase of 120 per cent, over the 
previous year. On Memorial Day, 1884, the membership was 524; 
and June 30, 1885, the membership reached the very large number 
of 605 members in good standing. The whole number that have 
been mustered into the post from its organization exceeds 850. 
The post, like the Grand Army of the Republic in general, is not 
a perpetual institution. It has no successor. The persons who 
are eligible to membership in its ranks are all living now. The 
very youngest of them is at least forty years of age. The time can- 
not be far distant when the last available man shall be mustered 
in — it is fast approaching when they will be rapidly mustered out 
and laid away to rest — and it is surely coming when the kindly 
offices of bearing the departing ones to their last resting place 
will be performed by hands other than those of comrades; when, 
finally, there will be a "last man" in each town. 

When will it be? Who will he be? What will be his sensa- 
tions as he climbs the rickety stairs for the last time, and, viewing 
the long rows of empty chairs by the moldy wall, and the short 
rows of draped chairs by the decaying altar, he drapes one more 
for the last preceding comrade, and knows that surely he must an- 
swer the next call? Or will the order of the G. A. R. be aban- 
doned long before his day, and the beautiful, sad, impressive 
customs and rites be forgotton or neglected? Be that as it may, 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 109 

he will be a lonely old man. Honor him! Honor all for his 
sake! 

Officers for 1890: Post commander, N. D. McGinley; senior 
vice commander, J. W. Tobias; junior vice commander, S. M. 
Lanham; quartermaster, H. Bevelle; adjutant, F. A. A'Neals; 
officer of the day, T. H. Haskell; sergeant major, S. C. Garrard; 
quartermaster sergeant, M. D. Bailey. 

Lincoln Post, No. 1, Department of Kansas, has fulfilled every 
expectation anticipated by its founders; and still promises to live 
to be an honor to the State and city, and a blessing to all old sol- 
diers within its influence. 



LINCOLN POST FLAMBEAU CLUB. 

The first flambeau club was organized in Topeka, in 1876, by 
Maj. T. J. Anderson, and continued through the presidential cam- 
paign of that year as a Republican flambeau club. Several bril- 
liant and wonderful displays were made in different cities of Kansas, 
which had the effect of captivating all beholders. 

The organization of the club was renewed in 1880, mostly of 
the same members, and of this Andrew M. Fuller, one of the 
original members, was chosen captain. The displays made during 
the campaign of that year were more wonderful than before. 

In 1 88 1, a display was given at Topeka, on the evening of July 
4th, under the leadership of Captain Fuller. More than half of 
the club at that time were members of Lincoln Post; which, con- 
sidering that the post had only recently been organized, showed 
that the old soldiers took an active interest in these things. 

In 1882, at the old soldiers' reunion held during the State fair, 
at Topeka, in September, on which occasion Hon. James G. 
Blaine visited Kansas, a grand and beautiful display was given by 
the club on Kansas avenue between Fourth and Tenth streets. 
On this occasion, owing to previous experience, the execution was 
admirable; the evolutions were performed with real grace and 
beauty, and the men behaved splendidly while under fire. A very 
large gathering of people — the largest ever in Topeka — wit- 
nessed this display; and all felt that that alone fully compensated 
them for long distances traveled to attend the State fair and re- 
union. 



HO TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

Early in 1883, a flambeau club was organized by Captain Fuller 
from the members of Lincoln Post exclusively, mainly members 
of the old club; and much time was spent in drill and preparation, 
with a view to giving a display at Denver, during the session of 
the National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic 
at that city. The affair was a brilliant success, and was spoken of 
in terms of the highest praise by the newspapers. 

The marked success of the display inspired the members with 
enthusiasm; and, immediately after the return from Denver, steps 
were taken to make the organization permanent. The idea was 
conceived that by establishing a professional club — one which 
would attend to acceptable calls, to the exclusion of other busi- 
ness — a powerful auxiliary to Lincoln Post would be established, 
which would assist in repleting the repeatedly-exhausted condition 
of the relief fund, which was bearing very heavy drains by some 
worthy old soldiers and their families. It was easy enough to find 
plenty of men who were not afraid of fire; but it was not easy to 
find plenty of men who were willing to leave their business and 
give, without expectation of remuneration, the time and means 
necessary for drill and equipment, and traveling expenses to other 
cities. 

To that end, a few vacillating members were dropped; some 
new and stronger ones were added; the membership of the club 
was increased to 100, and shortly afterwards it was incorporated. 
The club continued to drill once or twice a week all summer, until 
the display at Leavenworth, during a reunion of the old soldiers 
of the State, in October. 

The interest of the club did not abate after this; but the mem- 
bers continued all winter to meet once in two weeks, and when 
summer came, then regularly once a week, and some new and 
beautiful movements were introduced into the drill. The meet- 
ings have always been well attended. In this connection, it may 
be mentioned that two members of Lincoln Post Flambeau Club 
have taken out several patents on valuable improvements in flam- 
beaux, also on chemical compounds for producing brilliant colored 
flashes (red, white and blue) from the flambeaux, one of the im- 
provements enabling the operator to produce either color at will. 
The inventions are the sole property of Lincoln Post Flambeau 
Club. 

The club had been unofficially invited at Denver to give a dis- 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. \ I I 

play at Minneapolis at the next annual encampment; and now ne- 
gotiations were entered into between the club and the committee 
at Minneapolis, and preparations made for the display there. Sat- 
isfactory arrangements being concluded, the club went there, ac- 
companied by its drum corps, seventeen strong, and gave, notwith- 
standing limited room on account of an immense crowd of people, 
a very fine and striking display. 

The officers of the club for 1S89 were: Captain, A. M. Fuller; 
first lieutenant, S. M. Lanham; second lieutenant, S. K. Withers; 
adjutant, N. D. McGinley; quartermaster, W. E. Brubaker; press 
agent, O. W. Fox; sergeant major, B. B. Smyth; quartermaster 
sergeant, Sam. Lee; ordnance sergeant, W. H. Frampton; color 
sergeant, Chas. Tillinghast; bugler, N. D. McGinley; drum major, 
L. J. Webb; fife major, F. A. A'Neals. 



THE DEMOCRATIC FLAMBEAU CLUB. 

The Democratic Flambeau Club of Topeka was organized Au- 
gust 1, 1884, with a membership of fourteen, and the following- 
named gentlemen were elected as officers of the club: President, 
John J. Cassidy; vice president, J. A. Polley; secretary, G. W. 
Clark; treasurer, T. G. Shillinglaw; captain, John R. Simpson, 
Lieutenant, Fred. Glick; second lieutenant, Clem. Lyon; execu- 
tive committee, L. W. Tumans, T. J. Hord, Wm. M. Anderson, 
P. H. Hughes, G. H. McCollister. 

During the campaign of 18S4, the club increased in membership 
from fourteen to 180 members, including active and honorary. 
During that memorable campaign the club made nine pyrotechnic 
displays, in the following cities: St. Marys, Clay Center, Atchi- 
son, Leavenworth, Wyandotte, Topeka, Kas., and Kansas City, 
Mo. 

The first meeting in January, 1885, the club was reorganized, 
and chartered, with a board of five directors, to make it a perma- 
nent organization. The following-named gentlemen were elected 
for the year 1885: Board of directors, Hon. John Martin, Hon. 
John Mileham, Hon. Michael Heery, Hon. Oscar Bischoff, Hon. 
Jasper H. Moss. 

As the Democratic party was successful in 1884, the club made 
preparations to attend the inauguration of Mr. Cleveland, the 



112 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

Democratic candidate for President, and on the 28th day of Feb- 
ruary, 1885, the club, with seventy-seven members, accompanied 
by the Dispatch Band, of Clay Center, with eighteen members, 
left Topeka for Washington, arriving at Washington, D. C, on 
the evening of March 3d. 

In the inaugural parade, the club was "followed down Pennsyl- 
vania avenue by at least 10,000 people, while 100,000 others looked 
on and admired" the brilliant display of rockets, Roman candles, 
red and green fires, Catherine wheels, torpedoes, bombs, and fire- 
works of every description. 

After seeing all the sights of Washington and Baltimore, they 
turned homeward again, reaching Topeka after an absence of two 
■weeks. 

In November, 1886, the club made a display at Kansas City 
during the congressional campaign, and visited the same city and 
acted as escort for President Cleveland, when he passed through 
that city on his tour of the States in 1887. 

At the last regular meeting in December, 1889, the following 
were elected officers for the year 1890: President, John Martin, 
vice president, J. S. Earnest; first vice president, G. Max. Claudy; 
second vice president, A. N. Brown; third vice president, A. Ru- 
doff; secretary, W. H. Kerle; treasurer, M. Heery; captain, Geo. 
C. Sperry; first lieutenant, W. C. Creighton; second lieutenant, 
A. A. Mitchell; quartermaster, A. O. Swanson; sergeant at arms, 
A. E. Benson; transportation agent, Furman Baker; board of trus- 
tees, John Schmidt; E. D. McCoy, Oscar Robinson. 

The club at present has its headquarters at 208 Kansas avenue, 
where it has a hall furnished, and meets the first and third Thurs- 
day in each month. The club is out of debt, has about $500 worth 
of furniture and fixtures, -and a membership of nearly two hundred. 



THE TOPEKA REPUBLICAN FLAMBEAU CLUB. 

This organization is composed of the young Republicans of 
Shawnee county. The club is the offspring of the old Topeka 
torch club, which dates back to 1S70. In 1879, (the year in which 
Tohn A. McCall, of Topeka, patented the flambeau torch,) the old 
club disbanded and the Topeka Republican Flambeau Club was 
organized, and has been in active operation ever since. It now has 



7 0PEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. \\\ 

a membership of 200. Their fire drill is executed by eighty 
picked men, and includes fifty military, special and secret-order 
movements. 

The club is the oldest flambeau organization in the country, and 
has taken part in some of the most prominent demonstrations in 
the United States, among which was Grant's reception in Kansas 
City, in 18S0, upon his return from a tour around the world. Of 
this display General Grant said: "The display given by your club 
this evening was one of the grandest and most exciting spectacles 
I have witnessed during my tour." 

The club made a display at St. Louis, Oct. 8, 18S5, on the occa- 
sion of the "Trades Display," which was spoken of by the press 
as one of the chief attractions of the occasion. 

This club was present at the nomination of President Harrison, 
at Chicago, in 1SS8, and gave a display upon that occasion. 

In addition to these notable events, the club has led the largest 
political demonstrations in the country. It was invited to attend 
the exposition at Paris, France, in 1S89, but owing to the distance 
and lateness of the invitation, it was found impossible to accept it. 

During non-political times, the club is a civic organization, as- 
sisting in all entertainments and enterprises. It has given in all 
fifty-one displays, the principal ones being those given in Topeka, 
Lawrence, Newton, Fort Scott, Pleasanton, Atchison, Wyandotte, 
Leavenworth, Olathe and Emporia, Kansas; Kansas City, St. 
Louis and Carthage, Mo.; and Chicago, 111. 

The officers of the Topeka Republican Flambeau Club are: 
W. A. S. Bird, president; M. W. Van Valkenburg, treasurer; 
J. C. Clark, secretary; F. J. Trestrail, quartermaster and press 
agent; Col. J. W. F. Hughes, captain. 

CATHOLIC YOUNG MEN'S ASSOCIATION. 

This society was organized November 1, 18SS, under the spirit- 
ual direction of Very Rev. F. M. Hayden, rector of Assumption 
Church, of Topeka, assisted by Rev. P. J. Shields, assistant pas- 
tor. Prominent among its charter members and organizers were 
J. J. Lannan, P. J. Monaghan, John Gannon, J. S. Monaghan, 
James Scully, J. J. Slavier, C. F. Donahoe, John Hayes, H. E. 
Brady, J. O'Connor, E. Mulhall, John Hartley, W. P. McCall, W. 
M. Byrne and James Brennan. 



114 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

The objects of the society are the spiritual and temporal advance- 
ment of its members, the latter prompted through the medium of 
literary and dramatic exercises. 

The first officers of the organization were as follows: President, 
J. J. Lannan; vice president, J. S. Monaghan; secretary, J. J. Sla- 
vier; treasurer, John Hayes; librarian, John Gannon. 

The people of Assumption Church, and the city in general, have 
taken an active interest in the welfare of this association, as evinced 
by their liberal patronage of its literary and dramatic entertain- 
ments. The first of these was given March 17, 1889, at the Grand 
Opera House, Topeka, in the production of the popular Irish drama 
"Eileen Ogee." So successful was the maiden effort of the society 
in this direction, that a special request was made for the reproduc- 
tion of it. This request was complied with, Easter Monday, April 
22, 1889, and if possible, the second effort was a greater success 
histrionically and financially than the first. 

As proof that this organization includes within its members able 
dramatic talent, witness its production of Dion Boucicault's heavi- 
est and most popular drama, " Colleen Bawn," at Crawford's Op- 
era House, January 9, 1890, when the association again acquitted 
itself honorably and successfully. 

The society is ably assisted in its dramatic efforts by the young 
ladies of the parish, who deserve the highest praise for the interest 
they manifest in its welfare, and their efforts to promote its growth 
and assist in the attainment of its objects. 

This institution is in a flourishing condition, and its future wel- 
fare is secured by the enrollment among its members of some of 
the most intelligent and industrious young men of the city. 

DIOCESAN MUTUAL INSURANCE UNION. 

The headquarters of the D. M. I. U., a Catholic insurance or- 
ganization, under the patronage of the Bishop of Leavenworth, 
are in this city. The officers are: Michael Heery, president; J. 
C. O'Donnell, vice president; D. A. Wise, treasurer; W. J. Mc- 
Garry, secretary, with Messrs. D. Mulhall, L. Wingart, M. Cuff 
and D. Lane, as a board of management. It was organized at 
Leavenworth, in 1875, and for many years it had for president the 
late Father O'Reilly. Meetings are held at the residence of Dean 
Hayden. 



TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



"5 



CATHOLIC MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION. 

The Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, as its name implies, is 
•composed exclusively of Catholics, issues policies of life insurance 
•to its members, either for $1,000 or $2,000, to suit the applicant, 
and is conducted on the assessment plan. It was organized at Ni- 
agara Falls, New York, December, 1S76, and was incorporated 
under the laws of the State of New York by an act passed June 
9, 1879. 

On January 1, 1890, the membership was composed of 434 
branches, with 26,000 members. The deaths in 1889 were a frac- 
tion under eight per 1,000 members. The cost of management 
-was about eight cents per $1,000 of certificates in force. 

St. Patrick's Branch, No. 5, of Topeka, was organized Decem- 
ber 19, 1885, and has forty members in good standing. Its officers 
for 1890 are as follows: Very Rev. F. M. Hayden, spiritual ad- 
viser; J. P. Butterly, chancellor; T. F. Lannan, president; Robt. 
Hallahan, first vice president; Peter Plamondon, second vice pres- 
ident; H. D. Wood, treasurer; John Nenkam, finance secretary; 
D. A. Wise, recording secretary; C. A. Coppin, assistant recording 
secretary; G. J. Bayless, marshal; J. J. White, guard. 

Its meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday even- 
ings of each month, at 109 East Third street. All C. M. B. A. 
members visiting our city are cordially invited to attend its meet- 
ings. 



ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS. 

Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians, was organized in 
the spring of 1882 as a branch of the national organization, with 
a membership of about ten. During the past few years the order 
has increased quite rapidly, and at present has in the neighborhood 
of one hundred members entered upon its roll. The special object 
of this association is to raise a fund of money for maintaining the 
sick or disabled, for the burial of deceased members, and for the 
legitimate expense of the association. Fortunately, sickness or 
death rarely visits its members; consequently its treasury is in a 
flourishing condition. The regular business meetings are held on 



Il6 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

the first Tuesday in each month, at 109 East Third street, where 
the division owns a nicely furnished hall, to which is added an ex- 
tensive library. The present officers of the division are: Very 
Rev. F. M. Hayden, chaplain; J. P. Butterly, county delegate; 
T. F. Lannan, president; P. J. Donohue, vice president; John 
Gannon, recording secretary; H. E. Brady, financial secretary; 
Robt. Hallahan, treasurer. 



JUVENILE SOCIETY. 

This assembly of colored children is worthy of more than a 
passing notice. It is a branch of the F. G. I. B. S. in Topeka. 
It was organized in 1888, Mrs. A. Williams, of 418 Buchanan 
street, being the main stay of the lodge for months. At pres- 
ent it is in a prosperous condition, the number of members be- 
ing 194. 

The object of this lodge is mutual assistance to all its members 
in good standing. They take care of their sick, assist the needy, 
and pay all funeral expenses. 

The officers are, president, vice president, secretary, and assist- 
ant; also, a board of managers, three being elected by the lodge, 
and three by the grand lodge. 

The members pay an initiation fee of twenty-five cents, and ten 
cents a month to continue membership. Their monthly meetings 
are the first Saturday in every month, at two o'clock, the place of 
meeting being in a hall over Tuttle's grocery, between Third and 
Fourth streets, on Kansas avenue. Each member not able to at- 
tend his usual calling, by sickness or accident, may apply, and re- 
ceive aid until restored to health. 

The presiding officers are: President, Martha Buford; secretary, 
Eva Hawkins. Gertrude Solomon presides over the sick commit- 
tee. General manager, Mrs. A. Williams. 

The lodge has a well-drilled band of music, and the opening ex- 
ercises of the lodge are music and prayer. Many a little bootblack 
and errand boy belongs to this lodge, and many a little girl takes 
care of a baby or goes on an errand to get the ten cents to pay the 
monthly dues. 





'-^■~-tS3.K=~. - .■ SJ.: j 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. HJ 



DR. F. L. CRANE. 

The subject of this sketch was one of the founders of Topeka; 
he came in December, 1854; looked over the prospects of the 
new town, returned to his old home, and came back to Kansas in 
April, 1855, settling at Topeka. 

Dr. Franklin Loomis Crane was born at East Windsor, Hart- 
ford county, Conn., in 1S0S. His parents were of the Puritans. 
At the age of sixteen, Dr. Crane went to Hartford, Conn., and 
spent five years in clerking. At that time he had only the advan- 
tages of a common-school education, but after residing in Hart- 
ford, he took up the study of surgical dentistry in the office of Dr. 
John Crane, and when his course was completed removed to Eas- 
ton, Pa., in 1832, residing there until his removal to Kansas. 

He was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Howell, in October, 
1838, and to them four sons were born, but the beloved wife and 
fond mother only lived a few years thereafter, and Dr. Crane was 
left alone with his children. He never married again. His four 
sons are Jesse H. Crane, now of Hillsborough, N. M., George W. 
Crane, publisher, of Topeka, and D. O. Crane, of Topeka. Frank- 
lin L., the second son, died at Fort Larned during the war. 

Dr. Crane had only been in the then new town of Topeka a few 
days when he was elected president of the board of trustees of the 
association. His first enterprise for the town was the building of 
a lime-kiln, with the product of which the new town had plenty 
of building material, there being an abundance of good limestone 
rock for laying the walls, while the "Kaw" gave bountifully of 
the best sand. He gave the land for the Topeka cemetery and 
platted it himself, assisted by Loring Farnsworth; the grounds 
were surveyed, and the work of beautifying the "City of the 
Dead" was done by him. He was acting mayor, and one of the 
first in securing the capital at Topeka. He looked to the welfare 
of the public in every enterprise of the new town. Among his 
gifts, which are numerous, was five acres for the A. T. & S. F. R. 
R. depot, and five acres for the first foundry and iron works in 
the city. He was president of the board for building bridges. 
When the word for help and for soldiers came to Topeka, Dr. 
Crane enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Kansas Infantry, serv- 
ing three years in the service, part of the time as hospital steward, 



IlS TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES, 

and afterwards was placed in charge of general hospitals, by order 
of the medical director, a position he merited. When he returned 
from the war, he entered into the real estate business, and was ac- 
tive up to the time of his death, which occurred November 21, 
[884, at Carthage, N. M., at the residence of his son Jesse Crane. 

Within the Kansas Historical Society's rooms hangs a large 
portrait of the doctor, a handsome man, of the most pleasing coun- 
tenance, his well-shaped head crowned with silver locks, and his 
long, heavy beard made white with the snows of many winters. 
We look at the pleasant, genial face, and through our mind flits- 
the sentence, "and what we sow we shall reap." His life was 
made up of good deeds, and he lived to see the good results of 
his sowing. lie was a good citizen, a fond husband, and a kind 
father. 

The following account of the impressive funeral services was- 
published in the Daily Commonwealth: 

"UK 11 VS GONE — THE FUNERAL SERVICES OF DR. F. L. CRANE YESTERDAY. 

"Conducted by the Grand Army of the Republic and Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows — An impressive and feeling service by Dr. F. S. McCabe. 

"The body of Dr. F. L. Crane arrived from New Mexico at 3 o'clock Sunday 
afternoon, accompanied by his son Jesse Crane and family. They were met at 
the Santa Fe depot by Mr. Geo. W. Crane and family, and about fifty members of 
Lincoln Post, G. A. R.. who took charge of the remains and conveyed them to the 
residence of Mr. Geo. \Y. Crane, on the corner of Ninth and Harrison streets. 
There they laid until 2 o'clock yesterday, at which time the funeral was held. 
Everything was in charge of the Grand Army. At 1:30 o'clock Lincoln Post, 100 
Strong, Lincoln Lost Drum Corps, and Old Abe Camp. Sons of Veterans, headed 
by Frof. Heck's band, marched to the house, where already a large number of 
people and carriages were waiting. From there they bore the body to the First 
Congregational Church, where the funeral services were held. There they were 
met by Lodge No. 3, I. O. O. F., sixty members, the old Musical Union, and a 
large number of citizens. Dr. F. S. McCabe preached the funeral sermon. It 
was a request of the deceased while living that he should do so, and that request 
was fulfilled. As the coffin was carried into the church. Professor Slie played a 
dirge on the organ. The pall bearers were comrades W. R. Goodenough, J. L. 
Sheldon. L Slocum, E. N. Morehouse, J. P. Marion, J, C. l.angston, Jno. Surtis 
and Joel Huntoon. 

" The Musical Union, an organization which Dr. Crane assisted in founding, 
furnished the music. The members present were: Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Martin, 
Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Church. Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Remington, Mrs. S. J. Crawford, 
Mrs. C. J. Brown, Mrs. George A. Finch, Mrs. Samuel Hall, Miss Mary Stewart. 
Miss Florence Fox, Miss Ruth Price, Miss Lizzie Officer, Prof. Henry Worrall, 
Prof. 1. S. Slie, Win. Hall Jenkins, Rev. L. Plakesley, Frank Drummond and A. 
P. Wilder. 




v 

ft- • 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



119 



"After Dr. McCabe had read a short lesson, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, I 
shall not want,' Dr. Peter McVicar offered prayer. 
"Dr. McCabe then delivered the following sermon: 

"Eccles. 1:4: 'One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; 
but the earth abideth forever.' 

"History is more wonderful than romance. The men who came here in 1854, 
and drove their stakes in the soil of the unbroken, boundless prairie, were uncon- 
sciously connecting themselves with annals well nigh as incredible as a tale of the 
'Arabian Nights.' Their brightest hopes, as they rode and talked together, their 
wildest dreams as they lay in their blankets under the stars, were dull and tame 
compared with what their eyes have seen. 

"Look here, upon this picture, and on this. Twelve or fifteen sun-browned. men 
are in tents and shanties. They are doing what Romulus did years ago on the 
banks of the yellow Tiber — they are founding a city. They have no resources but 
courage and faith. In the wilderness a city is to be built; a State is to be created. 
They go forward. They become involved in deadly strifes with their nearest neigh- 
bors. Gaunt famine stalks among them; civil war shakes its bloody banners over 
their homes. The sun-browned men, and those who have joined their number, 
stand fast in their lot, bating not a jot of heart or hope. In time of peace they 
are tradesmen, mechanics, tillers of the soil; in time of war they are the fearless 
picket guard, thrown out by a struggling nation in its desperate defense of its own 
life, and in its heroic championship of the rights of man. 

"Thirty swift years have gone by. On the spot on which the handful of pio- 
neers lay in their blankets now stands a city of nearly 30,000 population; a city 
that contains thousands of handsome residences, spacious shops, mills, banks, man- 
ufactories, hotels and business houses; having constant connection east and west by 
lines of railway; supplied with water, gas, electric lights and fire department; a 
city with street railways, with twelve school buildings and thirty church edifices, 
several of them large and of beautiful architectural design; with twelve newspa- 
pers; with a free library having on its shelves over 6,000 volumes of books; with a 
hospital, two opera houses, two colleges, having large edifices and grounds; with a 
building for post office, and Federal courts; and with a Capitol building in process 
of construction. 

"The city is the capital of a State that has just cast 265,000 votes, representing 
a population of 1,300,000 persons, who are living in comfort, intelligence, freedom 
and peace. 

"To-day we bear to an honored grave a man who has done his full part in the 
accomplishment of these marvelous results. 

"Topeka was fortunate in the character of its founders. 

"First settlers leave an ineffaceable stamp on the community which they organ- 
ize. In some cases their influence is a perennial curse, worse than chronic famine 
or plague. Sometimes the first settlers, by their principles and lives, foster that 
which is evil — by an infallible magnetism they gather about them the coarser and 
viler elements in society. 

"The founders of this city were not of this class. They were liberal and gen- 
erous men. They were heartily in sympathy with education and morality, and 
they systematically encouraged whatever promoted the material and social welfare 
of the community, and they discouraged the opposite. 



120 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

"These peculiarities of the founders and of their early colleagues have had 
great influence in forming that spirit of liberality and harmony which has charac- 
terized the history of this city. They have had much to do with establishing the 
friendly relations that have always been maintained here among the members of 
the various churches, and between the churches and the entire community, and 
among the members of the different parties and societies and orders in the city. 
Some of us who were not of the founders have done our work here, not in a spirit 
of partisan or polemic bitterness, but in the line of liberality and unity, and for the 
practical welfare of all the people. We insist that men shall take their position in 
business and society, not according to the money which they have, nor the political 
principles which they hold, nor the religious professions that they make, but ac- 
cording to what in fact they are. In a community that is at once intelligent and 
free, there is no genuine passport to honor but character. 

"Franklin L. Crane was born January 10, 1808, at East Windsor, Hartford 
county, Connecticut, of good parentage and ancestry. 

"He was well educated in medicine and dental surgery, and practiced his pro- 
fession successfully in Pennsylvania for twenty-two years. 

"He removed to the Territory of Kansas in October, 1854, and he was a mem- 
ber of the town company that located Topeka, in December, 1854, and he acted as 
secretary of the company for many years. 

"Dr. Crane worked zealously in connection with the Free-State party, and ren- 
dered valuable service during the war for the Union. He gave effective assistance 
in the matter of securing the capital at Topeka, and throughout his entire career 
he was the steadfast and liberal friend of education, temperance, and every wor- 
thy interest in the community. 

"The peculiarities that formed the individuality of Dr. Crane were not obscure, 
and the portrayal of them is not difficult. He was a man of entire simplicity of 
character. Not a strategist nor a diplomatist by nature, he concealed nothing be- 
cause he had nothing to conceal. 

"His life was illuminated by the perpetual sunshine of cheerfulness. No one 
came within the reach of his influence without thereby being made more bright 
and hopeful. 

"His kindness of heart won for him the affectionate regard of his neighbors, of 
whatever class or pursuit. Constant activity of body and mind made him ready 
for the work that might be assigned him — and this was in a great degree the 
secret of his useful life. Add to these qualities unflinching honesty of purpose, 
that sought just ends by just means, that maintained supreme regard for truth and 
right — and you have a character that authorizes our respect and love. 

"Dr. Crane's belief in Spiritualism, like every other belief that he professed, 
was honestly held. The faith which he cherished was to him more than a theory : 
it had the significance and value of reality ; his creed had no phase that was mer- 
cenary or sinister. His views concerning departed spirits confirmed his faith in the 
immortality of the soul ; they gave him comfort and strength under the trials of 
his mortal pilgrimage ; they brightened his hopes of a better state beyond the con- 
flicts and sorrows of this life. Let those who regard his faith as fanciful, or not 
sufficiently supported by facts, at least respect the sincerity with which it was held. 
If they cannot accept his opinions, they may safely imitate the spirit of charity and 
toleration which he showed toward all others. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



121 



"The departure of Dr. Crane is mourned by the whole community. The pio- 
neers and older citizens realize that their ranks are being rapidly thinned by death. 
The members of the Musical Union recall the days of their pleasant association 
with the one who is gone. The I. O. O. F. pay honor to a brother who illustrated 
in his life the sentiments of 'Love, Purity and Fidelity.' The G. A. R. bear rev- 
erently to his grave, in the cemetery established by his forethought and care, a 
comrade who stood by his country in the day of her peril. 

"The sons of the departed and their wives and the grandchildren know full 
well that none who remain can fill the place of the kind and patient and faithful 
father who is gone. To all the associates and comrades and relatives of our de- 
parted friend we offer assurances of our tenderest sympathy. He had finished his 
work and was ready to go. He was anxious not to linger disabled and helpless, 
and we should be thankful that his wish was gratified. 

"Meeting Dr. Crane last summer, he said to me : 'Did I do wrong in assisting, 
while in New Mexico, at the funeral services of a worthy man who was a Catholic, 
not being myself a Catholic?' I answered: You did right. You buried your 
friend, not as a Catholic nor as a Protestant, but as a man — and by participating 
in the funeral ceremonies you expressed your regard for an excellent man, and 
your grief on account of his death. 

"So we to-day bury a good man. We are not thinking so much of the opinions 
which he held, or did not hold, as we are of what, in fact, he was. 

"Not long ago our friend said to me : 'When you have leisure, I should like to 
relate to you some facts that have come within my experience.' I replied that I 
should be glad to hear the statements, for I had no doubt that he would relate only 
what he believed to be true. We separated — and never met again. 

"He lies there, and I stand here, striving with broken words to express my ten- 
der regard for him whom I had known for years — more than sixteen years — and 
whose increasing friendship I enjoyed to the last moment of his life. 

"The essential things are — humble faith in God and a good life. 

"In His own good time He will make all things plain to us, who here — 
• Make perpetual moan, 
Still from one sorrow to another thrown.' 



"'Oh, the clanging bells of Time ! 
Night and day they never cease. 
We are wearied with their chime, 
For they do not bring us peace; 
And we hush our breath to hear, 
And we strain our eyes to see 
If the shores are drawing near — 
Eternity ! Eternity ! 

" ' Oh, the clanging bells of time ! 
How their changes rise and fall; 
But in undertone sublime, 
Sounding clearly thro' them all, 
Is a voice that must be heard, 
As our momcr's onward flee, 
And it speaketh aye one word, 
Eternity ! Eternity ! 



" 'Oh, the clanging bells of Time ! 
To their voices, loud and low, 
In a long, unresting line, 
We are marching to and fro; 
And we yearn for sight or sound, 
Of the life that is to be, 
For thy breath doth wrap us round - 
Eternity ! Eternity ! 

"'Oh, the clanging bells of Time ! 
Soon their notes will all be dumb, 
And in joy and peace sublime, 
We shall feel the silence come; 
And our souls their thirst will slake, 
And our eyes the King will see, 
When thy glorious morn shall break - 
Eternity ! Eternity ! ' " 



122 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

The following touching epistle from Dr. J. P. Root, of Wyan- 
dotte, echoes the feeling of many an old Kansan who came here to 
uphold the principles of the Free-State party: 

"Wyandotte, Kas., November 22, 1884. 

"Geo. W. Crane — My Dear Sir: Permit me to offer you, the family, and 
friends, my earnest sympathy and condolence for the earthly loss of your dear fa- 
ther, an account of which I have jnst seen in a Topeka paper. 

"Dr. F. L. Crane was one of the first men whose acquaintance I had the pleasure 
of forming in Topeka, in 1856; and from that time until I last saw him in Topeka, 
before his trip to New Mexico, I have entertained for him the warmest regard. 

"I well remember in '56, when many men of prominence left the Territory for 
various purposes, your father remained to lend his efficient aid in saving Kansas to 
freedom. I have now a little pocket compass that I obtained from him to assist 
me in laying out the road from Topeka to Nebraska City, for the purpose of allow- 
ing Free-State settlers — forbidden to come up the Missouri river — to enter Kansas 
from the north through Iowa and Nebraska. 

"Topeka can never properly appreciate the heroic, active efforts of your father 
and his associates — some of them still live in Topeka — of those early, stirring 
times; efforts except for which, among other things, Topeka would never have 
been the capital of Kansas. 

"There was one peculiarity of your father which endeared him to me more 
than I can express in words. Whether I had not seen his always-cheerful face for 
a day, a week, a month, or year, or a succession of years, I was ever sure to meet 
in him a constant and sincere friend. 

"Dr. Crane did not belong to that great class, found too often even in Kansas 
(a slight sprinkling of which has been known to remain over night in the capital 
city) who only show their warning smiles where gilded Fortune's beckoning hands 
are seen — sunshines and showers were alike to him, as old friends met his ex- 
tended hand. 

"Though in age far beyond the years of draft, and exempt from military serv- 
ice, when his country was fired upon his only thought was, Here am I, send me. 
As I saw him in the fifties to the front saving Kansas, I again saw him, in the six- 
ties, to the front saving the Union. Many a smiling ' God bless you ! ' followed your 
now-sainted father as I often saw him pass kindly and gently from one to another 
of the sick and wounded Kansas soldiers — fortunately under his skillful nursing 
and care during the war — while thousands of younger and more vigorous men re- 
mained in their Kansas homes, intent only on making for themselves financial and 
political fortunes — which, though they succeeded in doing, they will not last in 
coming ordeals; while your father, 'mid the crash of battle, the miasm of the biv- 
ouac and march, of the wounded, dead, and dying, of hospital and camp, was laying 
up his treasures in heaven, where he is now enjoying their rich and glorious fruition. 

"My dear friend, though we have tears to shed for his absence, we can but re- 
joice at his blissful entrance into that bright land he loved so much to think of, 
where tears can never come. 

"God permitting, I shall be at the funeral. 

" Sincerely yours, J. P. Root." 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 12 



COL. JOHN RITCHIE. 

Col. John Ritchie was born in Uniontown, Muskingum county, 
Ohio, July 17, 1817, the fifth child of Dr. John and Mary Ritchie. 
His mother's maiden name was Coney, being of Irish parentage. 
The Ritchies were of Scotch origin, having resided in the United 
States for many generations. His parents moved to Franklin, In- 
diana, and there the greater part of his boyhood was passed. 

Of six brothers, four were physicians: Dr. James Ritchie, Dr. 
Samuel Ritchie, Dr. Powell Ritchie and Dr. A. J. Ritchie. Law- 
rence P. Ritchie, and John, the subject of this sketch, were the 
only two who sought other means of support than that of the 
brain, both learning the saddler's trade, though being well educa- 
ted. 

Col. John Ritchie was married in 1838, to Miss Mary Jane 
Shelledy. Col. Ritchie and his wife came to Kansas in 1855, ar- 
riving at Topeka April 3d. He engaged in farming, and built the 
Ritchie Block, the first brick block in this city. He was an Abo- 
litionist, and one of John Brown's most ardent admirers and 
friends. He was a "Jim" Lane man, and took active part in the 
Free-State cause from the beginning of the troubles. It was at 
his house that John Brown spent his last night in Kansas. He 
was a member of the Leavenworth constitutional convention, and 
also of the Wyandotte constitutional convention. He enlisted in 
the war as a private in Company A, Fifth Kansas Cavalry (Lane's 
Guards), of which he was made captain after it was organized. 
He was then sent to raise an Indian regiment, was colonel of it, 
then breveted brigadier general two weeks before the war closed. 

His home was a depot for the runaway negroes from the South. 
He often said that not less than $100,000 worth of runaway slaves 
passed in safety through his place. 

His killing of Arms, the United States deputy marshal, was the 
lamentable act of his life, but he was defending his own rights. 
Arms was sent to arrest him, on a warrant sworn out by the Pro- 
Slavery party, at Lecompton. Ritchie told him he would not suf- 
fer arrest, and warned Arms to let him alone. Arms drew his 
revolver, and Ritchie drew his. Arms swore that he had to go, 
and started toward Ritchie, who, raising his revolver, fired, the 
ball striking Arms in the neck, killing him instantly. Ritchie im- 



124 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

mediately gave himself up to the authorities, and was honorably 
acquitted. Arms' partner left the town, and other warrants which 
had been issued against citizens of Topeka were not served. 
From that time forth the citizens of Topeka were not again mo- 
lested by "bogus" marshals or their deputies. 

His wife, Mary Jane Shelledy Ritchie, died October 18, 18S0. 
He married Mrs. Hannah Beale, October 27, 1881, at Franklin, 
Indiana, and they lived happily together until his death, which oc- 
curred September 1, 1SS7, at his residence, on Quincy and Elev- 
enth streets. 

His two sons, Hale and John, jr., reside in this city and are 
respected citizens, Hale having served his ward in the city council 
for two successive terms. Mrs. Hannah Ritchie, returned to 
Franklin Indiana, after the death of her husband. 



COL. N. S. GOSS. 

Col. N. S. Goss, the well-known ornithologist and naturalist, 
was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire, June 8, 1826, the young- 
est of four children, two sisters, and a brother, Capt. B. F. Goss, 
of Pewankee, Wisconsin. His parents were of the old Puritan 
stock. While N. S. Goss was yet in his teens, his father lost his 
property, and removed to Pewankee, Wisconsin. Thus, in a new 
country, and without ample means for a collegiate education, Mr. 
Goss began his life's work, with only the common district school 
and academy to assist him in his pursuit of the natural sciences. 
From childhood he had a deep love and admiration for birds, and 
made them a study. He worked through the day and studied dur- 
ing the evenings; and at idle times during the day, even, whenever 
there was a lull for a few minutes, he was at his books. Thus our 
Kansas Audubon, naturalist, scientist and taxidermist, began his 
education. 

He entered into business for himself, and, at the age of twenty- 
eight, married Miss Emma F. Brown, of Pewankee. He removed 
to Waverly, Iowa, with a view to entering into the banking busi- 
ness. While looking about him and making arrangements for the 
location of his business, his young companion was taken from him. 
Death had robbed him of his bride of only two years. This was 
in 1S56. She was laid away in the cemetery at her old home in 




COL. N. S. GOSS. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 1 25 

Wisconsin. Overcome by the loss of his beloved wife, the place 
no longer seemed like home, a*nd in the spring of 1S57, in a buggy, 
accompanied by a friend, he sought a home in Kansas, not know- 
ing or caring where it might be. After following the Neosho 
river down for some distance, they selected the spot where Neosho 
Falls now stands as their new home. Only two or three families 
were along the river for miles. They went to work and built a 
saw mill. A few months, and other families came in, the town 
was surveyed and lots sold. A post office was established soon af- 
ter and Mr. Goss appointed postmaster. In 1S5S, a grist mill was 
added to the saw mill, and Mr. Goss sold flour and meal to the In- 
dians, receiving in return for the same Indian ponies, buffalo robes, 
and some money. He held the position of postmaster until 1859. 

A public-spirited man and natural leader, he has been rightly 
called "the father of Neosho valley." He selected the grounds 
for the first county fairs, and had them arranged so attractively 
that it was favorably spoken of by the press of other counties. 
During these years he was searching for birds along the streams 
and on the prairies of Kansas. 

He was elected and commissioned major in i860, and lieutenant 
colonel in 1863, of the Sixteenth Kansas Militia Cavalry; was in 
active service during the "fourteen days' call" and the Price raid; 
and, being familiar with the Indian Territory, acted on several 
occasions as a scout for U. S. soldiers stationed at Humboldt. 

He was appointed register of the land office at Humboldt in 
1S67, and remained there until 1869, when he resigned to accept 
the position of land attorney for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas 
Railway, with headquarters at Neosho Falls. It was through his 
exertions that the road had been built through the Neosho valley, 
and at a meeting of the stockholders of the road, held at Emporia, 
May 16, 1866, Col. N. S. Goss was elected president. He was 
also land attorney for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Railroad at 
one time. 

Established at the Falls once more, he found ample time for his 
favorite study, and his collection of birds began to grow rapidly, 
and attract attention throughout the State and abroad. He had 
made himself comfortable in this world's goods, and in 1SS1 he 
donated his collection to the State, without any remuneration, but 
upon the conditions that it be known as the "Goss Ornithological 
Collection," and that he be the custodian during his lifetime, which 



126 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

were graciously accepted and a room was set apart for him in the 
Capitol by the Legislature, at once, also one for his collection. 
He left Neosho Falls in 1SS1, and took up his headquarters at the 
Capitol, at Topeka. 

The first door to the right on entering the east wing is the pri- 
vate office and parlor of Col. Goss; the next door, where a little 
gate closes the lower part of the open doorway, is the finest collec- 
tion of North American birds on exhibition in this country, and 
the largest collection by any one man in the world. How few of 
the thousand tourists and visitors who visit the State House every 
year, and admire those beautiful and now silent inhabitants of the 
earth and air, know who has done so much for our State. How 
few know that one man alone has accomplished all this by his con- 
stant work and perseverance. And the casual observer does not 
realize what has been undergone to secure the rare birds now 
mounted and placed in those glass show cases. For several years 
he has visited nearly every spot on the North American islands 
and main land, in quest of these fine birds. Along the northern 
coasts of North America, he has passed days in the huts of fisher- 
men, eating many a meal without meat; sitting in their canoes 
with the cold spray beating in his face and blinding his eyes; 
sleeping at night under an upturned boat; passing weeks on the 
frozen lakes and seas, hunting birds; wandering through the 
swamps and marshes of the warm, unhealthy southern region, 
with his dog and gun, and accompanied by some half-civilized na- 
tive for a guide; he goes where no white man had ever trod; he 
clambers over logs and through tangled thickets, where the jaguar 
and crocodile keep company with the boa-constrictor and poison 
lizards. Yet he has escaped unharmed, and returns heavily laden 
with the trophies of those isolated places. 

Every year he makes a trip, spending several months in search 
of new bird treasures. He has a folding bed, folding chair, bed 
clothing and a tarpaulin which he folds up in a small bundle, the 
whole not being larger than a common valise, and not weighing 
more than forty pounds. With these articles, he starts out on his 
long journeys. 

In 18S2, he visited many new fields. On the untrodden plains 
and unexplored mountain gorges of Wyoming, he found the wild 
goose on her nest. In Puget's Sound he watched the seal, and its 
hunter, the Indian, and brought home a model of their canoe, and 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 12J 

also a native spear. From Neah Bay he brought many fine spec- 
imens of rare birds for his collection. 

In 18S3, he compiled and published a catalogue of the birds of 
Kansas, a neatly-printed pamphlet of thirty-four pages, based upon 
observations in the field, and knowledge gathered during a resi- 
dence of over twenty-six years in this State. He says: "Kansas 
lies in the very center of the continent, stretching across a line of 
410 miles, with a diversity of soil and change of climate that 
makes ovuan fauna rich and varied." The birds of Kansas, in 
1883, embraced forty-nine families and 320 species and races. Of 
these, the author says that 161 are known to breed in the State, 
and that the rapid settlement and tree planting in the western por- 
tions of the State will increase its present bird life, as this becomes 
a natural and inviting home for the new species. 

In 1886, he revised the catalogue, increasing the species to 335, 
and the number known to breed in Kansas to 175. 

He was elected, in October, 1883, an active member of the 
American Ornithologist Union, an organization established in 
New York, the membership of which is limited to fifty, and com- 
posed of the most distinguished ornithologists of this country. 
This compliment was paid Col. Goss without his seeking it, or 
even without his previous knowledge of it, being first informed of 
his election by Dr. Elliott Coues, of Washington, a gentleman 
who ranks as one of the most eminent ornithologists in America 
and Europe. The colonel is also an active member of the Kansas 
Academy of Science. 

Our Kansas bird laws are almost entirely due to the active State 
ornithologist, N. S. Goss, whose love for birds is remarkable. He 
objects most earnestly to the wanton or cruel killing of birds, or 
their wholesale slaughter for their plumage. Though he kills a 
pair of each species for the benefit of science, the birds could have 
no warmer friend. In his catalogue of 1886, he has devoted four 
pages to the following subjects, which are of great interest and 
value to persons who have a regard for the life of birds: "Pro- 
tect the Birds," "American Ornithologist Union Committee on the 
Bird Protection," "The Audubon Society," "Bird Laws," "An 
Appeal to the Women of the Country on behalf of the Birds." 
Every family in Kansas should have a copy of "Birds of Kansas" 
in its library, and carefully read those last pages. 

Early in the winter of 1884, Col. Goss visited Florida, the Gulf 



128 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

of Mexico and Cape Sable. In the everglades of Florida he 
worked his way through to where white man never set foot be- 
fore, and secured a pair of beautiful American flamingoes. They 
are known to nest on the Andross Isles, off the coast. He also 
captured two specimens, male and female, of the great white heron 
and some fifty other birds inhabiting those warm countries and 
islands. He brought home elegant specimens of corals, shells and 
sponges, to add to the fine cabinet collection in his private parlor 
and office, which in itself is an interesting museum. During the 
same year he visited Cape Cod, and other points, and brought back 
with him twenty-one new birds. Of these, nine were new speci- 
mens, and one was very rare and valuable, being the Skua gull, 
which he shot off Chatham. It is known as the Great Skua, and 
is usually found on the shores of Greenland and Iceland. There 
have been but one or two specimens taken so far south, and he re- 
fused a large sum for it, preferring to bring it home for the "Goss 
collectipn." 

Col. Goss confines his travels to North America alone, and on 
March 3d, 1886, he returned from an extensive and successful trip 
to Central America, having secured forty-three birds, twenty-one 
of which were new species. He also brought home from the west- 
ern salt plains, the same year, three Snowy plovers. In that year 
his collection was valued at $100,000 by competent judges. His 
travels, observations and adventures in Central America are most 
interesting and instructive, but lack of space compels their omis- 
sion here. During the winter of 18S7, he spent three months in 
Guatemala, British and Spanish Honduras. His harvest that time 
was forty-eight birds in all ; some of them were rare varieties. 
Among them were a pair of golden turkeys, and rare and beauti- 
ful humming and sun bhxls. 

He made a tour in Mexico in 1887-8, which proved a most 
valuable trip, having discovered a new bird, unknown to this 
country. In Mexico, opposite La Paz, he found some fine speci- 
mens, among them a male and female Helmet-Crested jay, superb 
birds, measuring thirty inches, with tails twenty inches long. 
During the same trip, he visited the guano island in the Gulf of 
California, northwest of Guaymas. This island is barren of herb- 
age, the guano being too strong to allow vegetation to grow, ex- 
cept that on some exposed rocks cacti grow to enormous size. 
Devoid as this island is of flora, yet it is fairly alive with myriads 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



129 



of birds. Mr. Goss succeeded in securing specimens of the Redbill 
tropic bird, the male specimen measuring forty-one and one-half 
inches in length, the tail being twenty-seven inches long. He 
captured two new birds, heretofore unknown to naturalists, being 
specimens of the gannet and booby, and to verify his belief that 
they were an entirely new species, he visited Washington, and 
placed them before the authorities at the Smithsonian Institute, 
and found they were the Blue-Footed booby and the Brewster 
booby, and that his were the only specimens known. The Colonel 
was enabled to reach guano islands through the courtesy of E. J. 
Reed, general agent of the Phosphate and Sulphate Company, of 
San Francisco. This company had received from the Mexican 
government the exclusive control of the many small islands in the 
gulf, for the purpose of gathering up the very rich guano which 
had been accumulating for centuries. It was gathered by a colony 
of Yaquir Indians, the men of which the company paid $15 per 
month, and furnished them food, enough of which was supplied to 
keep their families too. Mr. Goss speaks in the highest terms of 
these Indians. 

Col. Goss celebrated his 62d birthday June 8th, 1888, and was 
the recipient of numerous gifts and mementos of friendship from 
his many friends. He had a profusion of rare flowers sent him by 
his lady friends, and an etching from H. C. Speer and S. T. Howe, 
in which birds are a conspicuous figure, was one of the pretty re- 
membrances of the day. 

In 1889, he visited the southern coasts of Mexico and the coffee- 
growing regions of the foot hills of the Orizaba and Perote 
peaks. He intended to spend a month longer, collecting water 
birds on Lake Chapala, but his gun, valise and tools were all 
stolen at the city of Mexico, which put an end to further col- 
lecting. He visited the lake, however, before returning. During 
the summer of 18S9 he busied himself writing a book on the his- 
tory of birds of Kansas, which, when complete, will contain a 
description of every known species of bird that belongs to or visits 
this State. It will be one of the most valuable text books on orni- 
thology ever published, and of the greatest value to a student of 
that branch. 

The colonel's description of his journeys are graphic and ex- 
ceedingly interesting. Volumes could he write of his travels and 
adventures, from the northern seas to the warm, sunny islands in 
— 9 



I30 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

the gulfs of California and Mexico. He is a fine conversationalist, 
and makes his visitors feel at ease by his gentle and genial man- 
ners. He is in love with his work, and imparts his enthusiasm to 
his visitor, as he relates his journeys and the results of each visit. 
He has remained single since his wife died, in 1856, and speaks of 
her in a way that plainly tells that he has not forgotten her, though 
she has been laid away in the silent grave for over thirty years. 
He brought her remains to Topeka, and interred them in the cem- 
etery here, and wishes to be laid beside her when his work is done. 
He says that the life after this is a mere speculation. That he is 
well pleased with this planet, and does not yearn for realms un- 
known. He is a young old man. He makes the best of life, says 
his hard work keeps him out of mischief, and has a pleasant word 
for all who make his acquaintance. In politics he is a Democrat, 
and strictly temperate. He devotes almost his entire time to his 
birds and his copious notes of their habits, etc., engaging in an oc- 
casional game of whist or chess for pastime and recreation. 

While he is traversing the snowy plains and ice-bound coasts of 
the north, or enduring the hardships of the unhealthy climes of the 
south, the best wishes of his thousands of friends and well wishers 
go with him, and all anxiously await the return of our Kansas Au- 
dubon. 



HON. JOHN FRANCIS. 

Few men of any State who have held offices of trust have 
acquitted themselves with more honor than has John Francis. 
His name is enrolled on the books of both county and State as 
holding the highest offices of trust — a man of sterling character, 
refined manners, a fine education, and possessing superior^ business 
qualifications. He was born in the county of Norfolk, England, 
April 24, 1837. At the age of twenty-one, in August, 1858, he 
sailed for America, and came directly to Kansas. He settled at 
Osawatomie, and went to farming. 

When the whole nation was aroused by the fall of Fort Sump- 
ter, and men began to shoulder arms and march to the front to 
save the Government, John Francis was among the number to step 
out and say : " I am ready to protect my adopted country ; give 
me a gun and a place in your ranks." He was mustered into the 




HON. JOHN FRANCIS. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



I3 1 



volunteer service as a member of Company D, Fifth Kansas Cav- 
alry, in July, 1S61, Colonel Johnston being the commander. At 
Harrisonville, Mo., September 2, 1861, this regiment began to 
win laurels. The battle of Morristown was then fought, Septem- 
ber 17, and their brave commander, Colonel Johnston, was killed. 
The regiment was next engaged in the battles of Drywood, Osce- 
ola and Butler, in Missouri. Late in the fall of 1S61, the regiment 
went into winter quarters at Camp Denver, near JBarnsville, Kan- 
sas, where, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Clayton, the 
regiment was thoroughly reorganized, drilled and disciplined for 
the coming spring. They marched from the camp to the battle 
field of Carthage, Missouri, where they captured a company of 
rebels; Springfield, Missouri, was also taken. Much could be 
written of the bravery of the Fifth Kansas Volunteers at Black 
River, Cotton Plantation and Helena, Arkansas; and in their many 
foraging expeditions and narrow escapes John Francis was among 
the bravest. During the fall of 1S63, Mr. Francis was discharged 
on account of poor health, which was brought on by the exposure 
of army life. He returned to Kansas, and that fall was elected 
county clerk of Allen county, which position he filled for two 
terms, being re-elected in 1865. Before his term had expired, he 
was elected county treasurer of Allen county, in 1867, and during 
this term of office found time to prepare for the bar, and was ad- 
mitted in 1867. From 1867 to 1868 he held, by appointment of 
Judge Valentine, the office of clerk of the district court, which he 
resigned, and was re-elected in 1869 as county treasurer. 

He entered into mercantile business in Iola, Kansas, in 1S69, in 
which he prospered, and five years later, May 1, 1874, was ap- 
pointed State Treasurer of Kansas by Governor Osborn, to fill the 
vacancy caused by the removal of Josiah E. Hayes. Mr. Francis 
filled the position until January 12, 1875. That year Samuel 
Lappin was sworn in, having been elected in November, 1874. 
Lappin fell a victim to the tempting gold. Mr. Francis was ap- 
pointed to fill the vacancy, and was elected for the next term in 
1S76, and re-elected in 1S78, and again in 1SS0, making five terms 
as State Treasurer held by him. 

The following in the permanent school fund report upon the 
subject of Lappin's dishonorable record may perhaps reach some 
school boy or young man and serve as a wholesome warning to 
shun bad company: "Examples are not wanting of the highest 



I32 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

degree of virtue in public life; and it would be much better for 
the future of our State if public officers realized more fully their 
individual responsibility, and would imitate the example of that 
noble Greek, who, centuries ago, when elected to a high and re- 
sponsible office in the State, called around him his friends, and 
bade them a solemn adieu, remarking that having been called by 
the public to discharge a high and important duty, he must know 
no friends during his official life but the State." 

Mr. Francis was elected one of the directors of the State Histor- 
ical Society in 1877, and held the position of treasurer for several 
years, and has been treasurer of the State Board of Agriculture for 
several successive terms. During his first elective term as State 
Treasurer, he moved his family to Topeka, selling his store in 
Iola, Kansas. 

In 1882 he entered into the bond business extensively, and 
worked hard to secure the building of the Kansas, Nebraska & 
Dakota Railroad from Fort Scott to Topeka. He was elected 
president of that railroad in 1S85, and served the company faith- 
fully until the transfer was made to the Gould system, to which 
the old K. N. & D. is a valuable feeder. 

Mr. Francis was a charter member and president of the Rapid 
Transit Street Railway Company, and contributed greatly to the 
success which has followed this great enterprise. 

He is now vice president of the Interstate National Bank, of 
New York city, is fifty-two years of age, and, with all the fatigue 
of accumulated business cares, he does not look to be more than 
forty. He is active and quick in his movements, and has a pleas- 
ant and genial countenance. 



MAYOR R. L. COFRAN. 

Roswell L. Cofran, proprietor of the Western Foundry, Sec- 
ond and Jefferson streets, is one of Topeka's most thriving business 
men, and has entered into the interests of the city since his resi- 
dence here with pronounced success. Mr. Cofran is a native of 
Vermont; born in Wheelock in 1845. He was educated in the 
public schools of his native State, and also at one of the best uni- 
versities of that State. When the war broke out he enlisted in 
the Sixth Vermont Volunteers, and held the office of commissary. 






TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



133 



When the war closed, he sought useful employment, and deter- 
mined to become proficient in some trade. Preferring the ma- 
chinist's trade, he set about to learn it; and was soon well qualified 
to make his own way in the world with a good practical education 
and the master of a useful trade. He left his Eastern home and 
came West, arriving in Topeka in 1870. He went to work in 
the Western Foundry as a machinist. In 1875, the foundry was 
burned down; during the following year Mr. Cofran bought it, 
and, in company with Joseph Bromich, who had control of the 
boiler shops, the Western Foundry began to prosper. Mr. Cofran 
has been twice elected mayor of Topeka, being the present incum- 
bent of that office. In politics, he is a Democrat. He has made 
a good officer, and has won the respect of his opponents; and to 
the laboring classes he has ever proved a friend. His employes 
always speak in the highest praise of him. 

He has built up an immense trade within the past few years, 
and has now the second largest foundry west of the Mississippi. 
The machine shops are furnished with the latest and most im- 
proved machinery, while the brass foundry and blacksmith shops 
are among the best in the country. 

Besides the vast amount of local trade, an immense amount of 
work is done for other States, especially Colorado and New Mex- 
ico. Mr. Cofran has succeeded in making his shops the best; and 
by judicious advertising and superior work has built up a manu- 
facturing establishment which is a credit to the capital and the 
State as well. 



JOSEPH BROMICH. 

Among the self-made men of Topeka, whom Dame Fortune 
has not frowned upon, may be mentioned Joseph Bromich, pro- 
prietor of the Topeka Steam Boiler Works — one of the largest 
boiler shops west of the Mississippi. Eighteen years ago he 
landed in Topeka with only a few dollars, and began work at his 
trade at the Kaw Valley Foundry. Good management, good 
habits, and everlastingly keeping at it, have done for Mr. Bromich 
what riches have failed to do for many. 

Joseph Bromich was born in Birmingham, England, Decem- 
ber 25, 1847. He was married in 1S6S, in that city, to Miss Mary 



134 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

A. Anton, and set sail for this country in June of that year; leav- 
ing Mrs. Bromich in the old world. He was not pleased with 
New York as a home, and concluded to go to Florida. Obtaining 
work in the railroad shops there, he remained for months; not lik- 
ing the place, he embarked for the West Indies. After visiting 
many seaports and places of interest, he took passage on a Peru- 
vian naval ship, the "Maranon," and joined the navy as boiler- 
maker and blacksmith on board the ship. 

Mr. Bromich tired of the navy and returned to Liverpool, ar- 
riving November 30th, 1869. After living in America he could 
not feel contented to work year after year, with a very poor pros- 
pect of ever getting a home of his own, no matter how careful he 
might be, and his thoughts continually wandered back to the land 
where he had been. 

After working a short time in England, at Allbright & Wilson's 
phosphorus works, near Birmingham, he concluded to come to the 
United States, and become a citizen of this country, as he consid- 
ered it the best for a working man. On February 23d, 1870, he 
sailed on one of the National line steamships, and upon his arrival 
in this country engaged with Lowell & Ross, of Rancocas, New- 
Jersey, to build a phosphorus works. After completing the same,, 
he journeyed to Topeka, coming here in July, 1871. After taking 
a view of the city, he concluded that it was the most promising 
place that he had seen. Fortune favored him the first day, as he 
obtained employment at the old Kaw Valley (now the Western) 
Foundry under Babcock & Cleland. After working for them 
about two years, during the latter part of which time the foundry 
was sold to Andrew Stark, he left, and worked at the old Santa 
Fe shops under master mechanic Faries, until, with R. L. Cofran,. 
he bought the Kaw Valley Foundry property, which had been 
destroyed by fire. 

They started up in a small way, and soon found it necessary to 
rebuild the machine shop. Times were very hard, being at the 
time of the grasshopper visitation and the panic, but, with economy 
and hard work, they succeeded. After being in the foundry busi- 
ness about three years, Mr. Bromich sold out his interest to Mr. 
Cofran, and established the Topeka Steam Boiler Works, and 
success has been his portion since. He has built ninety per cent, of 
the boilers now used in Topeka, and has done a vast amount of 
work outside of the city. 



TOPEKA FEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



135 



His family consists of one daughter, Maria, and two sons living, 
Walter and Henry, having buried three sons. Maria is his book- 
keeper and stenographer. Mr. Bromich is a self-made man, getting 
his education, or most of it, in the evening schools, after he was 
grown. He is a constant worker, not stopping to sleep when he 
is crowded with work. He is now only in the prime of life, and 
bids fair to be one of the wealthiest men in the city in a few years. 



F. P. BAKER. 

Floyd P. Baker was born at Fort Ann, Washington county, 
New York, November 16, 1820. He was the fourth son of Reu- 
ben and Lois Baker. His father was a school teacher, and, having 
a large family to support, the parents consented to let one of the 
neighbors, a Mr. Whitney, who owned a farm, take Floyd, and 
with him the art of farming was pursued for ten years by our 
"Horace Greeley of Kansas." 

He had only three months out of each winter to attend school 
during his stay on the farm, but was an apt scholar, and it was 
only by being diligent that he succeeded in acquiring a fair edu- 
cation. 

At the age of eighteen he was employed to teach a six months' 
school, at Hamburg, Erie county, New York. 

After closing his school at Hamburg, and in the spring of 1839, 
he visited what was then known as the "far west." At Hillsdale, 
Michigan, he set up a blacksmith shop, which he ran with indiffer- 
ent success for a year. In 1840 he returned to his native State. 
It was at the time of the canal boat excitement on Champlain canal, 
and he took an agency for a line of packet boats then controlled 
by his brother. He was also agent for the winter stage coach line 
between Albany and Whitehall, then a part of the route between 
New York and Montreal. For seven years he remained in charge 
of those lines, making his home most of the time in Troy. Feb- 
ruary 14, 1844, he was married to Miss Eliza F. Wilson, of Am- 
sterdam, New York. 

In 1847 he gave up his agencies and took a contract to build a 
section of two miles of the Hudson River Railroad. This was an 
unprofitable and disastrous investment; he lost all he had accum- 
ulated for years, and still there remained unpaid debts. 



I36 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

June 10, 1847, a son was born, who was christened for his fa- 
ther, Floyd P. 

Having now to commence anew, he determined to try the West 
again. With his little family he settled near Racine, Wisconsin, 
on a farm, which he carried on in connection with an insurance 
business for three years. In 1849 his wife died, leaving him with 
his little boy alone in the West. In 1850 he married Aliss Orinda 
Searle, of Racine, Wisconsin, and then concluded to try his fortune 
in some distant or foreign land. 

With his wife and son he traveled to St. Louis in his own con- 
veyance; thence by boat down the Mississippi to New Orleans. 
There little Floyd sickened and died, and the heavy-hearted couple 
pursued their way to Panama, and from thence to San Francisco. 
Staying there a few months, they set sail for the Sandwich Islands, 
where, after a tedious voyage of several weeks, they arrived in 
June, 1S53. Three weeks after landing, he was appointed crown 
attorney and clerk of the district court of the Hawaiian Islands, 
and removed to Hilo, which was to be his permanent residence. 
When he left Honolulu, the small-pox was prevalent, and he and 
his wife were compelled to endure a season of quarantine outside 
of the city limits. The quarantine hospital was in the crater of an 
extinct volcano. While there, his second son, Nestor R.,was born. 
He resided there for eighteen months, and performed the duties of 
his office faithfully. But, being surrounded by a semi-barbarous 
society, he grew tired of the location, and giving up his position, 
set sail for his native land. He settled in Andrew county, Missouri, 
engaging in farming and land speculations. Remaining there five 
years, he came to Kansas, in i860, settling in Centralia, Nemaha 
county. There he carried on farming, practiced law, and served 
at different times as county attorney and superintendent of schools; 
also as a member of the Legislature from the district composed of 
Nemaha, Washington and Marshall counties, in 1861-2. 

In 1863, having purchased an interest in the Kansas State Rec- 
ord, he removed his family to Topeka. He remained with that 
paper until its consolidation with the Commonwealth, in 1 871, at 
which time he retired. Thinking that there was a more genial 
climate than that of Kansas, he went to Denison, Texas, and there 
established the Denison "Journal, which he conducted with ability 
and success until 1875. While in Texas, he held the position of 
postmaster at Denison, from April, 1873, to the 1st of June, 1S75. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



137 



Returning to Topeka in March, 1875, he purchased the office of 
the Commonwealth, which paper he retained as editor and propri- 
etor until its consolidation with the Capital, in 188S. He is now 
a member of the Kansas Newspaper Union firm with his sons N. 
R. and I. N., and his son-in-law, H. W. Sharp. His son Hon. 
Clifford C. is State Printer of Kansas. He has four living chil- 
dren, three sons and one daughter. 

The history of Kansas is not complete without a sketch of his 
life, and it is interwoven with the history of the most important 
public affairs of the capital city. He has led the van in journal- 
ism of the Republican party in Kansas for the past quarter of a 
century. He stands at the head of the ranks of Kansas journal- 
ists, and is president of the State Editorial Association. 

The first secretary of the Historical Society was Hon. F. P. 
Baker, and to him the society is much indebted; as one of its 
builders, he has been associated with it from the time it was first 
organized, taking great interest in its success. 

In 1878, he visited Europe as an assistant commissioner to the 
world's fair, in Paris. 

He has a cheerful word for every one around him, and, as Noble 
Prentis says, "A great store of shrewdness is concealed in that 
queer white head, and kindness in that often- misunderstood heart." 
The kindest and most devoted husband and father, the friend of 
those deserving a friend, a counselor to those who need and ask 
advice, we cannot refrain from calling him within our own mind, 
and have for years, the " Horace Greeley of Kansas." 



W. H. BUTTERFIELD. 

Among the noble and intellectual men who have been associa- 
ted with the history of our city, there is not one more worthy of a 
few words than the subject of this sketch. He was born in Farm- 
ington, Maine, January 26, 1813, and was educated in his native 
town at the academy. In 1843 he moved West, settling in Dayton, 
Ohio. For sixteen years he was principal of the largest school 
in that place, and afterwards engaged in the book and stationery 
business. He came to Topeka in 1S66. He took active part in 
educational interests, and was superintendent of schools for nine 
years without intermission, his term of service ending in 1S81. He 



I38 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

then entered into the insurance business, in which he continued 
until his death, which occured June 3, 18S9. 

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and also one of 
the temperance workers of our city. He was married to Miss 
Hannah E. Norris, of Hallowell, Maine, and had three children: 
Wm. C, now resident of St. Louis, Missouri; Augusta, the only 
daughter, married James Steele, the author, and resides in Chicago; 
and Harry N., who resides in Topeka. A noble life was spent 
here on earth and was rewarded with three score and ten before 
being called to a better home. The resolutions given below voice 
the sentiments of many parents and thousands of pupils, not only 
residents of Topeka, but scattered the Union over. 

At the meeting of the city teachers, the accompanying resolu- 
tions of respect to the late Superintendent W. H. Butterfield were 
unanimously passed. He seems to have left the impression of a 
great mind and large heart upon everything he did. Many of the 
teachers were pupils, and some of them were teachers during 
Superintendent Butterfield's direction of the schools. The reso- 
lutions were as follows: 

Whereas, This community has been called to mourn the death of Professor 
W. H. Butterfield, and 

Whereas, He was a framer, as well as for many years the guiding spirit, of our 
school system: be it 

Resolved, By the teachers of the Topeka public schools, that we extend to his 
family our sympathies in their time of sorrow. 

Resolved, That we recognise in him a worthy citizen, an able educator, an upright 
man, and a fearless, consistent Christian. 



HARRY HAYDEN. 

He is dead ! The beautiful youth, 

The heart of honor, the tongue of truth; 

He, the life and light of us all, 

Whose voice was blithe as a bugle call, 

Whom all eyes followed with one consent; 

The cheer of whose laugh, and whose pleasant word, 

Hushed all murmurs of discontent. — Longfellow. 

How well has the author of the above lines portrayed the sub- 
ject of our sketch, Harry Hayden. Every word is a befitting trib- 
ute to the noble youth whose life was lost in that awful wreck on 
the Grand Trunk Railway, April 28, 1889. 



TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



139 



Yes, he is dead. He left us in the early springtime with a light 
and joyous heart. His handsome face was lit up by the expecta- 
tions of the pleasures in store, of the journey before him. He was 
to visit the home of his childhood, and spend a few weeks in recrea- 
tion there. All nature seemed to join in unison with the prospects 
of the young traveler, and the throng of friends who bade him 
good-bye for only a short time were assured he would soon return, 
for among the gay circles of fashionable society he was a favorite. 
To his brothers he said a kind adieu; to his bosom friend, his 
room-mate, he gave the last parting word, and was gone. 

The days glided by, and no tidings came of the absent one, but 
no fear was there that he had met with any accident. We heard 
the newsboys cry "A wreck on the Grand Trunk Railway!" 
We paused a moment, then passed on. "There is no one there of 
our friends" we said in our hearts, and we can only feel a sadness 
for those whom we have never met, and only a longing to assist 
them, if in our power; but we can never realize the deep anguish 
caused by those terrible disasters until we hear of some one near 
to us whose life is imperiled. Then we bend with grief and an- 
guish over the last line of news, with eyes bedimmed with tears. 

Yes, at the scene of destruction, there, among the crushed, the 
dead, and dying, were husbands and fathers who sought for their 
dear ones; friends searched for friends; but there were those whom 
no one asked for. They were lying there, cold and still in death. 
The violets were crushed, and the greensward broken, and there, 
in the new-made graves, they were laid away with gentle hands, 
the sod was replaced, and a slab bearing the word " Unknown," 
was placed at the head of those graves. 

Weeks passed by, and fear began to deepen into alarm. He had 
not been heard from. Could it be that he was among the victims 
of that terrible disaster? The brothers hastened to that scene, and 
there, among the unknown, was the object of their search. Yes, 
there in the keeping of strangers they found his remains laid away, 
and they returned, bowed with sorrow. 

At his desk, or on the crowded street at noon time, we see him 
no more. No longer we watch him pass, arm in arm with his 
friend and room-mate. No more they enter the luxurious parlors, 
drawing rooms and halls of festivity together. There is a gloom 
over all. In the gay throng we miss that form; the voice is still, 
and hushed is the gay laugh of the many friends. There is a 



140 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



vacant chair at the table. His room, once so cheerful and attract- 
ive, is lonely, and the many keepsakes are put away. His friend 
steps in and out each day, with the same deep heartache for that 
pleasant and honored friend who has passed to those unknown 
realms. 

He has gone from among us, but the gentle influence of his 
spotless life will remain. Long will the name of Harry Hayden 
be spoken with tenderness and sorrow by the citizens of Topeka 
who knew him. 



REV. JOHN. A. STEELE. 

Mr. Steele first saw the village of Topeka on the afternoon of 
October 9th, 1859. The three days following were passed at a 
hotel, then known as the Chase House, on Sixth street, since then 
the site of two or three separate and successive buildings, each one 
a hotel, and none of them as good as the first. The soul of the 
establishment from whose windows the earliest impressions were 
drawn was Mrs. Enoch Chase, still a resident of Topeka. 

The weather of those days was probably not greatly unlike the 
weather of later times, but it seemed to be, and considerably bet- 
ter. That intervening Sunday was the yellowest, blue-haziest, 
calmest, that October ever brought. A boy stopping with the 
party at the Chase House was so captivated by it that he still uses 
it as a mental comparative for all that ought to be. A brief coun- 
seling together between the elder and the younger developed an 
agreement that if this was what was to be expected, even some- 
times, it was thought that it would answer. It did answer for 
more than thirty years. 

The town was then very much as though it had been indiscrim- 
inately dropped out of a blanket upon the rolling slopes that are 
now scarcely traceable. The name only seemed to be a thing of 
premeditation, though not traceable through the ordinary channels 
of thought. There were no walks, platforms, steps, grades or 
corners. About two "small general stores furnished apparel, and 
one red grocery at the corner of Sixth and Kansas avenues, and 
another in or under " Constitution Hall," dealt out comestibles. 
But who knows anything about "Constitution Hall" or the "Mu- 
seum Block" now? There seemed to be about three hundred in- 



10PEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 141 

habitants, but they served for a much larger number. Nearly all 
that now is was planted and fostered, or at least conceived and 
dreamed of, by them. 

But so far as the parties concerned with this sketch are con- 
cerned, their time did not begin until about June 1st, 1S60. From 
that date the flat, wet, unreclaimed, yet incomparably rich, prairies 
of Illinois knew them no more. They are now middle-aged men 
and matrons who were then children. There are grandchildren, 
two score or more, but "'60" will never be forgotten. From about 
the October mentioned until after the first anniversary thereof, it did 
not rain. The brown earth cracked wide. The little, new-planted 
trees waved and bent in the hot winds until they died. The Kaw 
crawled over its leagues of sand a diminished and crooked rivulet. 
The fuzzy brown grass, which was the town site's natural cover- 
ing, and that was like enough to brown moss in the best of times, 
passed away so completely that the ridge whereon Taylor street 
now is, and where the female seminary stands, looked as though 
covered with a threadbare gray carpet. Nobody went away ; that 
was strange. Nobody came, and that, in the expectant condition 
of the little town, was most unfortunate. 

Yet during the heats and apprehensions of this summer of i860 
the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka was born. All the good 
things of the country may be called the children of vicissitude, and 
nearly all the great men were log-cabin nurselings. The event, 
how momentous only the angels know, occurred in a little ten-by- 
twelve room, up stairs, in that pretentious and euphonic "Museum 
Block," precisely over the northwestern corner of the primal drug 
store, which stood where Rowley's now is. There were present 
Mr. Steele's two eldest daughters with himself, and Mr. and Mrs. 
Conkling, and a stripling who was important to the occasion only in 
the material respects of first finding a key to the little room, provid- 
ing for an illumination with a single kerosene lamp, in the middle 
of a long table of native walnut, and finally extinguishing, locking 
up again, and discharging himself as bailee in the matter of the key. 

The founding of the First Presbyterian Church in Topeka was 
the event which connects Mr. Steele's name with the community. 
It was as the " morning" described by the vivid poetry of the Old 
Testament. He went forth weeping and sowing his seed, but he 
did not live to return in the evening "rejoicing, and bearing his 
sheaves with him." His was not the harvest. 



142 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

As a man, disconnected from his calling, Mr. Steele was, not 
extraordinarily, but in a certain sense, and to a close observer, a 
remarkable man. He was more than six feet tall until infirmity 
and the world's burdens had borne upon his shoulders. He was 
bred in the early time of struggles and conquests over material crud- 
ity, and did not wear an habitual blandness. But he knew how to 
laugh, and appreciated the value of every story that had a moral. 
He was highly educated after the standard in vogue in his youth; 
classically, scholastically, though not widely read and speculative 
beyond the prescribed lines; and that something indescribable 
which flavors all the after life of every collegiate was very appar- 
ent in him. Had he been a business man he would have acquired 
wealth, and honestly and quickly. Had he been a politician he 
would at intervals have greatly astonished those opponents who 
trespassed. He came of a stock who have been frontiersmen 
and fighters and pioneers since a quarter of a century before the 
Revolution. His namesake and great-grandfather came from 
Donegal, Ireland, bringing with him five sons. But the stock was 
English-Irish and Protestant, and the mother of these five sons 
was so very Scotch that her maiden name was Elizabeth Ransom. 
Mr. Steele's grandfather was the Captain James Steele who figured 
at King's Mountain and the Cowpens, and who after the Revolu- 
tion moved from Carolina to western Virginia because the snarling 
Tories, like the unconverted Copperheads who are still grumbling 
at the result of our later contest, made it so warm for him that he 
could not in peace stay there. East Tennessee and Kentucky and 
the hill country of the Carolinas are now sprinkled with relatives, 
or relatives of the stock, and they were almost universally for the 
flag with the thirty-four stars during the war, and will be found 
for faith and common country always. 

Mr. Steele was born in 1801 in Greenbriar county, West Vir- 
ginia. He was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, and 
in theology at Princeton. He passed the years from 1837 t° 1 86o 
in Illinois, preaching over a wide extent of country outside of his 
own pastorate. He died at Topeka, in 1864. Such were the times 
that he was almost literally buried by women. Eighteen men, all 
citizens of the one small town, were killed together that same 
week, and sleep in one plat in its cemetery. 

Mrs. Steele was Catharine Mary Hampton, to whom he was 
married while he was pastor of the church at Staunton, Virginia, 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



14; 



in 1835. Mrs. Steele, a widow for a quarter of a century, died in 
March, 1S90. There are yet living seven of her nine children, 
four of them with their children still residents of Topeka, and 
only two of the seven living out of Kansas. Within the circle of 
his descendants he stands a patriarchal figure, one of the few to 
whom it has been given to impress themselves even upon their 
own kindred. 

Of the children of Rev. John A. Steele and Catharine M. 
Steele, the following data may be of interest: 

Mary Elizabeth Steele was born in Staunton, Virginia; married 
to Rev. J. S. Park; now lives in Wamego, Kansas. 

Margaret Hampton Steele was born in Grandview, Illinois, Sep- 
tember 20th, 183S; married to Silas W. Hampton; now lives in 
Memphis, Tennessee. 

James W. Steele was born in Grandview, Illinois, November 
9, 1840; married to Augusta Butterfield; now lives in Chicago, 
Illinois. 

The nameless one was born in Grandview, Illinois, November 
5th, 1842; died at the age of four months. 

Catharine M. Steele was born in Grandview, Illinois, August 
7th, 1844; married to Charles Whiting; is now a widow, and lives 
in Topeka. 

John Chalmer Steele was born March 28th, 1847; died in 1S60. 

Robert Brown Steele was born in Grandview, Illinois, Septem- 
ber 22d, 1849; married to Mary Adams; now lives in Topeka. 

Matilda Steele was born in Grandview, Illinois, February 15th, 
1852; married to James D. McFarland; now lives in Topeka. 

Virginia Steele was born in Grandview, Illinois, August 30th, 
1854; married to Charles Bodwell; now lives in Topeka. 



JAMES W. STEELE. 

After the war was ended James W. Steele returned to his home 
and mother. He had fared better than many, for flesh wounds 
and a sabre cut were all that he suffered. Civil life satisfied him 
ior a little time, and then, soon after his marriage, he accepted an 
appointment in the regular army, and it was after his return from 
this last experience in army life that, though always fluent with 



u^ 



144 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

his pen, he began his literary work, first in short sketches and as 
editor of the "Kansas Magazine," then on the " Sons of the Bor- 
der." After a few years more, Captain Steele was sent as United 
States consul to Cuba, but although Cuban climate, ways and 
people may furnish much that is interesting to write about, Amer- 
icans are not usually fond of living among them, and when his 
term expired, our American was more than pleased to make an 
abiding place once more in Topeka. And from that time to 
within the last few months he has made this his home. At this 
time, he and his family, wife and little daughter, are in Chicago, 
where he is pursuing his literary work with marked success. 



MAJOR J. K. HUDSON. 

Major J. K. Hudson, the editor of the Daily Capital, was born 
in Carrollton, Carroll county, Ohio, May 4, 1840. He is the 
eldest of six sons. His father was of English parentage, and his 
mother was Pennsylvania Dutch, her name being Rebecca Roth- 
acker. They resided for forty years in Ohio. His father was a 
practical printer, and publisher of county papers in northern Ohio 
during his life. He was a strong advocate of the abolition of 
slavery, and a staunch Republican, and, with four sons, went 
through the late war. The subject of this sketch received his 
early education in the public schools of Salem, Ohio, learning the 
printing business in his father's office in Salem. The Anti- 
Slavery Bugle, one of the most radical anti-slavery journals, was 
published by his father in Salem. The call for troops, in 1861, 
spread over the country. Sumpter had fallen into the hands of 
the Southern slaveholders, and young Mr. Hudson left Salem in 
July, 1861, in company with Barkley, Cappock, and other com- 
panions. Arriving at Fort Leavenworth, he enlisted in the Third 
Regiment, Kansas Volunteers (Lane's brigade). He was a brave 
soldier, and soon began to receive attention from his commanding 
officers. From orderly sergeant he was promoted to second lieu- 
tenant of his company. He was again promoted to first lieutenant, 
and served as assistant adjutant general of the Second Brigade and 
First Division, Army of the Frontier; was on the staff of General 
Davies, at Rolla, Mo., and also a personal aide de camp to Major 
General Schofield. He was promoted to major of the First Mis- 



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H5 



souri Colored Infantry, and served with his regiment during the 
campaign of 1864, on the lower Mississippi and in Texas. He 
was mustered out in 1865, after more than four years of hard and 
honorable service. 

At the close of the war he came to Wyandotte county, Kansas, 
with the intention of reading law and adopting the practice as his 
profession. His plans, however, were changed, and soon after his 
arrival in Wyandotte he purchased a large tract of land, and en- 
tered extensively into stock raising and general farming. Thus 
he became thoroughly acquainted with the agricultural needs of 
the State, and both as farmer and journalist has given sympathetic 
aid to every movement calculated to benefit farm industries. He 
was appointed by Governor Qsborn a regent of the State Agri- 
cultural College. On February 5, 18S0, Mr. Hudson was elected 
secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, succeeding Hon. 
Alfred Gray, who had recently died. He filled this position with 
marked ability for nearly two years, resigning at that time to de- 
vote his attention to his paper. In 1S71 he was a member of the 
House of Representatives from the Thirty-seventh district, and in 
1873 made a very lively race for Congress on an independent 
ticket. In 1871 he was strongly supported for* the United States 
Senatorship made vacant by the resignation of Senator Caldwell, 
receiving at one time twenty-four votes. 

Mr. Hudson has, however, made his greatest success as a jour- 
nalist. In 1873 he purchased the Kansas Farmer, and removed 
it from Leavenworth to Topeka. It at once became an agricul- 
tural journal of great popularity. In 1879 the Capital was started 
as a small evening paper, with many disadvantages. Under his 
skillful management it has steadily advanced in public esteem and 
confidence. It has been outspoken on all the questions of the day, 
and is recognized as a journal of convictions, and one of the most 
influential in the West. As an editorial writer, Mr. Hudson 
eschews all flowery rhetoric, and presents his argument in clear, 
simple and forcible language. He is noted for the vigorous style 
of his work. The Capital was the first daily paper to boldly es- 
pouse the cause of prohibition in 1880, and has been a fearless and 
consistent advocate of the enforcement of the prohibitory law. 

He was married April 5, 1S63, to Mary W. Smith, of Salem. 

Ohio. Mrs. Hudson is of Quaker descent, and inherits to a marked 

degree all the strong characteristics of that sect. She has been in 
— 10 



I46 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

strong sympathy with all her husband's work, and a source of 
great aid to him. She is a writer of much ability, and besides 
numerous sketches and stories for the Capital and magazines, has 
published several novels within the last two years. They have 
three children living: Mary H., Anna J., and Paul. Mary H. 
was married several years ago to Dell Keizer, who is connected 
as business manager with the Capital. 



FATHER O'REILLY. 

FUNERAL ORATION BY VERY REV. DEAN HAYDEN. 

Right reverend bishops, very reverend and reverend fathers, 
and dear brethren: To-day we enter into the abode of death; we 
are transported in spirit from our own material beings to that 
home beyond the grave; we are assembled to discharge one of 
the most solemn and sacred duties of religion and friendship. 
There are occasions throughout the year when all the surround- 
ings of the church are emblematic of joy; when God's altars are 
properly decorated in splendor and brilliancy, on the recurrence of 
some glorious Christian festival; when gladness and delight are 
visible on the features of the faithful. To-day the scene is changed, 
and what a contrast! Placing aside all the tokens of joy and 
symbols of gayety, remembering that she is not only the trium- 
phant, beautiful bride of Christ, but also our spiritual mother, the 
churcli in this, her inexpressibly sad bereavement, dons her weeds 
of deepest mourning. She manifests her practical sympathy for 
her dearly beloved son, while you, by your presence and the sor- 
row depicted on your countenances, betray that reverence which 
you so generously and lovingly bestowed upon your pastor during 
life, and the hearty grief which possesses you over his death. 

"It is appointed unto all men once to die." The irrevocable 
sentence has been already written and pronounced on every mem- 
ber of the human race. "We are born," says St. Cyprian, "with 
the halter about our necks; every step we take brings us nearer to 
the grave. Our days pass by without interruption, and the fleeting 
moments constantly fly onward, nevermore to return." "Our other 
goods and evils," says St. Augustine, "are uncertain." Death alone 
is certain. The stroke of death shall fall indiscriminately on all — 



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147 



the great as well as the lowly; it shall reach all the monarchs as 
well as the peasants, the palace and castle as well as the hut and 
hovel; it spares not the devoted member of the altar, the servant 
of God himself, who is doing the work of his Master in this val- 
ley of tears. The immaculate Virgin Mary — nay the Son of God 
himself — terminated their laborious lives in death. In its destined 
and ever onward march it may carry untold, indescribable desola- 
tion into once happy homes; it may rend in twain hearts that 
were strongly knit together with ties of earthly and spiritual 
friendship; it may enter into the sanctuary and ruthlessly snatch 
from the very altar God's own anointed, leaving desolation and 
distress in its path; but the irrevocable sentence has been spoken. 
■"It is appointed unto men once to die." 

Father O'Reilly is dead, and before us lie his mortal remains. 
Truly, in the midst of life we are in death. Though often struck 
with the suddenness with which souls are called away to appear 
before their Maker, and fully alive to the knowledge that life is 
uncertain, I find it hard, beloved brethren, to realize and bring 
home to my own mind that my reverend and devoted friend — that 
he with whom I joined in happy conversation but sixteen days 
ago — should to-day be surrounded by his numerous brothers of the 
clergy and laity, that they may consign his body to the tomb, and 
pray for the repose of his soul. Amongst the comparatively 
young and vigorous and zealous clergy of the Leavenworth dio- 
cese, death has been hitherto a comparative stranger ; but seldom 
have they been called upon to mourn over a deceased co-laborer in 
the ministry; hence the peculiarly sad blow, when not alone one of 
their number has been stricken down, but when he, moreover, has 
been a shining light in the priesthood, and a model to his reverend 
brethren. 

The sorrow of your hearts, beloved brethren, is real ! You 
cannot conceal it, and you would not conceal it if you could, and 
for this genuine grief I honor you, and I thank God that it exists. 
It is a sign that true piety, which is everywhere and always worthy 
of recognition at men's hands, has been duly recognized by you, 
the people of Assumption parish, who had daily opportunities of 
witnessing the grandeur of your reverend pastor's life. But fur- 
ther yet, this recognition went beyond the bounds of his pastoral 
charge. His fellow citizens of all denominations observed the 
nobility of his character, his usefulness as a citizen, and his hearty 



148 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

interest in everything that could promote the well being of the 
community amongst whom he labored. Amongst the clergy he 
was not merely one amongst the many, but he was one who was 
beloved by them all, admired by all; consulted by them in doubts 
and difficulties; a model to the priesthood; a man of tenderest con- 
science, of earnest piety, possessing the confidence, not alone of 
his fellow priests, but of our right reverend and beloved bishop, 
who is here to-day to sorrowfully do honor to his memory, and 
whose thoughts, at this moment, I am but feebly expressing as I 
briefly recall his great character. But his talents, his fidelity to 
duty, his piety, were known elsewhere. The knowledge of them 
went abroad, and reached the very fountain head of the church ; 
the confines of a parish were too small for his greatness, and you, 
the people of Topeka, as well as the whole body of the Catholic 
clergy of Kansas, headed by our right reverend bishop, were joy- 
ously preparing to inaugurate him into a new and higher dignity, 
one of which he was eminently worthy. We were all, in the near 
future, to assist in his consecration as the new and first Bishop of 
Wichita, a position of trust and honor, but of fearful responsibility, 
where he was not only to preside as bishop, but was called upon 
to organize the new diocese and forward the many institutions 
necessary for the proper government of the church, and caring for 
the many charities subject to his care. Bishops and priests were 
soon to assemble to bestow upon him the apostolic charge; but 
the inscrutable designs of Providence have ruled it otherwise, and 
our duty is not to murmur, but to bow with due submission to the 
will of God. For all of us, beloved brethren, clergy and laity, 
it would have been a joyful day. Dearly did we hail the news 
from Rome that your beloved pastor would soon be Bishop 
O'Reilly, of Wichita, and we would all of us unite in honoring 
his elevation to a position worthy of his priestly character; but the 
ring and the mitre and the crozier are exchanged for the coffin 
and the shroud. 

How gladly would I wish that another were called on to pay 
this final tribute to his memory. Seventeen years ago, as his con- 
stant college companion, I began to know his character. My ac- 
quaintance with him as a priest was thorough, and if he had faults 
I never knew them; I knew him for his piety, his zeal, his sta- 
bility, his charity, his hospitality, his disinterestedness, his amiability, 
his humility, his prudence, his judgment, the simplicity of his char- 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 1 49 

acter, his earnestness, and his hearty compliance with whatever 
conscience and religion required at his hands. For this reason 
would I wish that his eulogy were pronounced by another, who 
could perhaps do more justice to his character, and yet speak less 
tenderly of him than I. 

To one sentiment I might safely give expression to-day, and it 
is this: Were your dearly beloved deceased pastor consulted as to 
the nature of his funeral sermon, he would either strictly forbid 
any, or else he would confine me to two points, and those would 
be, that you follow implicitly the precepts of God and his church, 
which he preached to you so frequently and so zealously from this 
altar, that thereby you might save your immortal souls, in whose 
behalf I might say he had laid down his life; and secondly, to 
pray for his soul. His humility would permit this and nothing 
more. 

Standing to-day in the presence and solemnity of death, let us 
avail ourselves of this opportunity to think of our last end, that 
we may not be found unprepared, when we shall be required to 
give an account of our stewardship. Let the frequent exhortations 
of your pastor enter your ears anew, and sink deeply into your 
hearts, for he would yet preach to you from his coffin the lesson 
of the uncertainty of life, the necessity of being always prepared, 
and the vanity of all human things. 

And while we fulfill a labor of love, however sad it be, in pay- 
ing a tribute of honor and respect to your lamented pastor, re- 
member that to him we -are bound by the strongest ties of gratitude. 
We owe him a debt, and it is to pray for his soul. In afflictions, 
in sorrow, in earthly trouble even, you have recourse to your 
pastor, that he may smooth your way — that as a father he may 
comfort you and alleviate your distress. Therefore, be not satisfied 
with this day's demonstration of your sympathy and grief, but show 
it practically in time to come, by your prayers for his departed soul, 
by assisting at mass for the same intention, and by having the holy 
sacrifice of the mass offered up for the repose of his soul. This 
I put before you, not merely as a request, but it is a solemn 
duty which devolves upon this parish for which he toiled to the 
end. His life indeed was spent in the exercise of virtue and good 
works; his death we may reasonably hope was saintly and pleasing 
to God — was but a passing from this state of probation to life eter- 
nal. Yet the justice of God is rigorous; nothing defiled can enter 



150 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

heaven. If venial faults or the slightest imperfection stained his 
soul, it must be expiated; and God, and not man, is the searcher of 
hearts, and his judgments are not ours. Oh, yes, pray for him; 
for "it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that 
they may be loosed from their sins." In thus executing the inten- 
tion of the church you will satisfy an important obligation; you 
will have one more intercessor when your turn shall come; you 
will prove yourselves earnest friends of the deceased, in hastening, 
if needs be, his journey to that eternal home of bliss, where " God 
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and death shall be no 
more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more,'* 
but where there shall be indescribable delight, "which eye hath 
not seen, nor ear heard; neither hath it entered into the heart of 
man what things God hath prepared for those that love him." 

Pray earnestly and often that God may give him eternal rest 
and let perpetual light shine upon him; and may the soul of the 
Reverend Father O'Reilly rest in peace. Amen! 



SKETCHES AND POEMS BY THE AUTHOR. 



KOSSUTH TO HULSEMAN. 

[During the summer of 1832, the celebrated Hungarian, Louis Kossuth, visited 
the United States. Austria and Russia had united against his native land, and 
overthrown her liberties. He came to plead the cause of Hungary before the 
American people, and to obtain such aid as might be privately furnished to his 
oppressed countrymen. The demonstrations in his behalf were great. His mission 
was successful. A great reception was given him at Washington. Hulseman, the 
Austrian minister, protested against it, and withdrew from the city until the recep- 
tion was over. The lines below the writer has penned as Kossuth's reply to 
Hulseman's protest.] 

Hulseman, how can you envy me now 
The laurels that deck the warrior's fair brow; 
You've conquered my country, and slain 
The bravest of soldiers over the main: 
You have murdered the prisoners you took, 
Till the world at your atrocities shook; 
And enrolled in the ranks of the slave 
Seventy thousand of Hungary's brave. 

An exile alone from country and home, 
I, Kossuth, their leader, a stranger must roam; 
Exiled, I came to this country for aid, 
Where Liberty's strong cradle was made; 
Her people so kindly heeded my call, 
And welcomed me here, to senate and hall; 
Statesmen and generals have gathered around, 
To hear of your deeds on Hungary's ground. 

They have gathered in their city to-day, 
In this glorious and brilliant array, 
To welcome this exile of Hungary's land 
To their own free country, Columbia's band; 

(15O 



IC2 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

Till more than chieftain and Congressmen, too, 
Have unheeded that counsel given by you; 
They are not tyrants of Austrian dye; 
The kindest of people, yet the world they defy. 

And you from among the gallant and gay 
Have secretly fled from the city away, 
For Kossuth is made an equal with you 
In this city ; and all America, too, 
Greeted the exile with greater applause 
Than you, the counselor of Austria's cause; 
Your nation, too, may cease to flourish on earth, 
And you be exiled from the land of your birth. 

MYRA. 

Just across the Kansas river from Lecompton is the pleasant 
village of Perry. A quiet place, and the best of children play on 
the commons, or hunt wild grapes and hazel nuts in the groves on 
the Grasshopper. 

A little white cottage stands on Silver street, with a sign on the 
front inscribed " Sewing." On entering, you see a pretty woman, 
with bright blue eyes, and dark hair waved over her brow. The 
children call her Aunt Myra, and they do not pass without stopping 
and waiting for her to say "Good morning" or " Good afternoon" 
to them. Why is she alone? 

Go back to West Haven, Connecticut, some years ago. It was 
just after the Kansas-Nebraska bill was passed. Young men were 
looking for homes, with restless eyes toward the high, rolling 
prairies of the West. One autumn day, as the twilight was deep- 
ening into the gloaming, Will Rushmore and his fair young bride 
stood beneath one of the old elm trees. "It will soon be train 
time," said Will, "I must go." Holding her in his arms, he kissed 
her often, and said "Do n't forget me," and he was gone. 

She hid her face in her hands and wept aloud, then starting up, 
she followed him with her eyes and her footsteps. "Myra!" called 
her mother in a gentle voice; "come back, child; you will lose Will 
forever if you watch him out of sight." An old German washer- 
woman had made the remark to Myra's mother. Myra turned 
and entered the house, sought her own room, and kept her eyes on 
the train until it moved out of sight. 



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153 



Letters came until he had reached the Kansas State line, and then 
they ceased. Days, weeks and months passed, and no tidings came 
of Will Rushmore. One year had passed, and Myra stood beneath 
the same old elm. A change had come over the young life, and 
the day was not as it was one year ago. A storm was gathering 
in the west. The glorious twilight was not there, and not a tint 
of the pleasant hue could be seen. No zephyr bathed her aching 
head. A chill passed over her frame, and she sought her room to 
die. 

Days came and went, until the thousand fields were green, and 
the violets were almost gone. Myra came out into the yard pale 
and sad. A faded flower was she who sat there, but she made a 
firm resolve to be up and doing. She must not waste her time. 

In a few weeks she had regained her health, and went into the 
school room as a teacher. Years passed, and her father came home 
from Andersonville prison. He placed a box in Myra's hands. 
She opened it, and there lay her picture, a ring, and locket she had 
given to Will the day he left. After waiting so long for tidings 
they had come. She sat in silence as her father told the story 
of the box and the preserver. A comrade in prison had been out 
West. He met Will Rushmore in Lecompton. Will was erecting 
a nice, neat cottage near where the college now stands. Strangers 
thronged to the territorial capital to find homes, and make money, 
while just across the river, near where Perry now stands, was a 
collection of houses known as Rising Sun. 

One evening Will wandered down to the river, watching the 
skiffs gliding over the smooth surface of the water, and the sun, 
soon to be out of sight, gave the autumn-colored foliage a deep 
tint. Maples, cottonwoods and willows, all were reflected in the 
crystal stream. Charlie Cormean joined Will, and they took a 
skiff and rowed over to the mouth of the Grasshopper. Thev 
landed in the little harbor, and wended their way to Rising Sun. 
Some twenty houses composed that village, built by the Georgia 
ruffians, and there whisky was sold by the drink or gallon. 

They had scarcely entered the door of a store than a shot was 
fired by an outlaw at a drinking companion, and missing the one it 
was intended for, the ball entered the heart of Will Rushmore, and 
he fell to the floor mortally wounded. Charlie Cormean took the 
little keepsakes and promised to write to the waiting bride. The 
body was not to be taken away, and, beside some twenty-five 



154 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



newly-made graves, Will was laid away in a rude box, and Charlie 
carved with his knife in a piece of hard oak the name of his 
departed friend, and sank it deeply at the head of the grave. 

One, two and three letters went out towards the East, but they 
were taken possession of by the Pro-Slavery party and destroyed. 
No answer came, and Charlie retained the keepsakes. Time passed 
on, and Charlie was among the first of the Lecompton boys to 
enlist in the late war, and finding himself in prison with a West 
Haven comrade he made inquiries, and soon found the father of 
Myra Rushmore. The tokens of remembrance were handled 
carefully by her father, and when he left Andersonville prison 
Charlie had gone to his long rest. A true-hearted soldier and 
friend, he had done all there was for him to do, and begging for 
only a crumb of bread, which he was refused, he closed his eyes 
in death within those prison walls. 

A few months later Myra, accompanied by her father and 
mother, came West. She sought out the grave she had so long 
mourned for. A nice coffin was bought, and the rude box was 
robbed of its lifeless form, and in the cemetery overlooking 
Lecompton on the east a new grave was made, and a slab of pure 
white marble now tells who rests beneath. After a few months 
the prison yard of Andersonville had lost one of i^s brave sleepers. 
Charlie Cormean was brought and laid beside Will Rushmore by 
Myra and her father. Charlie had no relatives on American soil, 
and his friends were those he had made within a few years. His 
home was in England, and it had been made desolate by the death 
of his parents some years before, and he had sought a home afar. 
A tall elm hangs over those graves, and beautiful vines clamber 
over the white slabs ; a rose blooms at the foot. Myra has planted 
them, and lives, near to watch and guard them with a gentle and 
tender hand. 

The harsh world says "How foolish! Why don't she return 
and spend her days where she is known?" What is it to the 
world if she is pleased? 

We know not the desires and heartaches of others. They may 
tell us of their troubles, but we cannot feel in our hearts what they 
feel. We cannot see as they do. Men have exiled themselves, 
as it were, because the only men they had loved had proved false, 
or death has taken them away. 

Why not leave our little dressmaker alone? If she is happy 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



155 



there, why should the world grumble? Soon she will be laid 
beside the one she loved, and when that hamlet, Rising Sun, is 
written up in Kansas history, it will be noted only for the lives 
lost there during that reign of bloodshed in Kansas. 

And we will watch as we pass through Perry for the one true- 
hearted woman, Myra, whose name defined is, "one who weeps." 



THE GOLDEN CITY. 

A VISION. 

It was about the close of the '50s. Through autumn's blue veil 
the sun poured his rays down upon the beautiful hills and valleys 
of Kansas. Those rays of the sun were of a dark golden, or red. 
The day was warm, and insect life had made the air resplendent 
with their brilliant wings, as they flitted to and fro a few feet above 
the earth. There, too, was the long line of smoky mist encircling 
the course of the Kansas river, which the Indians had named, per- 
haps centuries before, "Smoky Water," as they had observed that 
peculiar phenomena. And, as the sun was slowly sinking behind 
the hills and vast undulating prairies, a grander and more glorious 
sight appeared before the vision of a few men. Those witnesses 
were a band of the Pottawatomie Indians returning from a hunt- 
ing expedition. Their camps of wigwams and tents were in the 
valleys below Burnett's Mound. They had followed the course of 
the river down until they reached the high ridge west of Topeka, 
where the asylum now stands; there they rested for a few mo- 
ments, still seated on their gaily-equipped ponies. But what was 
there before their eyes as they gazed over the city of the white man ? 
That city had disappeared; there was in its place a sparkling gem, 
dazzling their eyes with its brightness. At the outskirts could be 
distinguished a few dwellings, but they too were transformed into 
spears of radiant light. Those radiant lights flickered, wavered, 
grew higher, and seemingly outshone the rays of the sun. They 
were a pale blue, vanishing into dark red. The ray of beautiful 
pearls gleamed for a moment, then leaped in its stead the rainbow 
arch. Shafts of light reaching the sky arose, then rested upon the 
earth. A snowy whiteness, a shade of crimson, losing itself in the 
brightest lines of amber, intermingled with roseate hues. A blaze 
of the brightest sunlight, and all that vision of beauty disappeared. 



156 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

There lay the young city before them in the beautiful valley, with- 
out a church spire or dwelling missing. 

Evening was spreading her lovely mantle over all, while the 
stars came stealing out one by one, smiling down on that chosen 
city of the pale face. Still that band of warriors rested on their 
ponies, and gazed into the fast-gathering darkness; for the shad- 
ows of night were deepening, and a dark wall seemed to rise be- 
fore them beyond where the golden city stood a few seconds 
before. Night was relieving Evening of her crimson robes, and 
throwing about her his sable cloak. And not till then did those 
children of the forest and prairie fold their arms and ask the Great 
Spirit to bless again the white man in his golden city; then, slowly 
turning, they descended the ridge one by one, until they arrived 
at their own city of rude tepees and wigwams. 

They had beheld the reflection of the autumn sun upon the 
windows and other shining objects, until the whole city was in one 
blaze of dazzling brightness. To them it was new, and believing 
the Great Spirit had come to bless the inhabitants of the golden 
city, they invoked that Spirit to bless again the thousands of white 
men and their families dwelling here in their capital city. 



QUINTILLIAN CASTLE. 

"Webster" was the name on the door plate of a very handsome 
residence in a beautiful village of Pennsylvania, and the fine lawn 
and gardens gave evidence to the passer by that wealth and refine- 
ment reigned there. It was a pleasant Sabbath afternoon. Spring 
had just taken her departure, and summer was giving a brighter 
color to the leaves and grass, and all nature was aglow with life, 
as Arthur Granger ran up those marble steps and rang the door 
bell. It was opened, and Arthur stepped inside. He did not see 
the beautiful face at a window on the opposite side of the street, 
in a mansion as grand as the one he had just entered. He was 
ushered into a magnificent parlor, and sat awaiting his friend, 
Charlie Webster. 

Arthur Granger was not accustomed to visiting at Charlie's 
home; they were friends, but not associates. Charlie was going 
away now, and had insisted on Arthur's making him a visit that 
afternoon. Mr. Webster had bought a large landed estate in 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



*57 



Kansas, and Charlie was going out to look after it, and erect a 
large house near Topeka for himself, being betrothed to one of 
the most attractive young ladies in their State, Clara Shumway, 
of Reading. 

The Websters were a wealthy banking firm, and Arthur Granger 
was a clerk in their bank, while Charlie filled the same position in 
another bank. Arthur was a poor boy, his parents being teachers 
in the public schools in their village as long as Arthur could re- 
member, and as school teachers never amass a fortune, at the death 
of his father Arthur was called home from college to take care of 
his mother, who was now too feeble to follow her vocation. He 
confidently sought Mr. Webster, and explaining the circumstances, 
asked for a place, and the next morning he went to work. Why 
should he not be lucky ? A young man of good morals, a fine 
education, and well qualified for business, with no bad habits; to- 
bacco, drink, and games of amusement were offensive to him. He 
had been bred among books and flowers. He had taken treat 
pleasure all his life in making their home attractive; it was only a 
cottage of seven rooms, a nice lawn in front, and a garden in the 
back. It was the neat back garden and its collection of white dove 
cotes and rabbit houses which brought all the boys in the village 
to see him when he was young, and even now he kept his pets, 
and the clambering roses and the evergreens were his constant 
care. He loved his home, and all its surroundings, better than 
any other place on earth. 

But how different was Charlie Webster's life and home* His 
father had built that fine mansion; men were hired to plant the 
trees and beautify the grounds, and take care of the pets in the 
outer yard. Charlie did not know what his pony ate, not even 
knowing how to saddle it; it was brought out in the drive for 
him, and he had nothing to look after. His father spent most of 
his time in the counting room. His mother was one of those 
women whom we could call unprincipled; a woman very proud 
and vain, a fault finder, and always looking to see if there was not 
a black cloud in the sky somewhere, as the wind seemed to blow 
that way. She did not care to pass her time in reading, which 
she had no taste for, and did not cultivate her musical talent, which 
was very good when she was young. The luxurious home she 
presided over was almost a prison for those who had to share it 
with her. Guest or servant, all shared the same fate. Charlie 



ic8 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

began to shun his mother's company as soon as he began playing 
upon the sidewalks. There was no domestic happiness in that 
family, and no love in the mother's heart for her husband or child. 
She took no pains in teaching Charlie to be kind and affectionate; 
all he possessed was what he had inherited from his father. He 
had often expressed a wish to Arthur that he might have a home 
of his own and be happy. It was not surprising to Arthur that 
Charlie spent most of his time among the merrymakers, and had 
begun to indulge in strong drinks and games. Arthur had often 
talked with him about the course he was taking, but still he went 
on, heedless of what would befall him in time to come, not real- 
izing once that what we sow we must surely reap. He had in- 
sisted on Charlie's going to some place where he would be away 
from his old associates, and begin life anew. So at last the time 
had come, and Charlie had made up his mind to locate in Kansas. 
Arthur waited only a few moments, when Charlie entered. 
Two fine-looking young men were they, far above the average, 
although Pennsylvania can boast of her fine-looking men. Ar- 
thur was very fair, with the brightest of blue eyes, and an abund- 
ance of light brown hair; his form was erect, and a finely-shaped 
head sat above his well-proportioned shoulders. He was pleasant 
to all whom he met in social or business circles. Charlie was the 
opposite. His large black eyes flashed on you at a glance, and you 
knew he had at that instant formed an opinion of your worth in 
his mind. His hair was as black as his eyes, and inclined to curl. 
He was rather inclined to be scornful, and expected people to 
court him. 

As he took a seat by Arthur, he said: "Well, I am going in the 
morning, and I do not know what may happen to me, and I want 
to thank you for all your kindness to me. Here are Clara's ring 
and letters; keep them until I return, if I do return. I have al- 
ways had a presentiment that I would never marry; that fate has 
decreed it so. You will see there is going to be a great change in 
my life; something is going to happen." Arthur spoke to him 
again of the bad company he would find in the West, and when 
they parted Charlie was in better spirits. 

Arthur descended the steps, and was looking at the flowering 
shrubs and trees in the opposite yard, when he caught sight of a 
familiar form. It was the graceful figure of a young lady stand- 
ing on the lower steps of the veranda. She turned at first to hurry 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



159 



into the house, but the next moment turned and bowed to Arthur, 
who had paused in amazement at seeing the only woman he had 
ever fancied he loved standing there before him, Mabel Dorn- 
blazer, of Harrisburg. Mabel was unexpectedly called there to 
visit a sick aunt, her mother's sister, and had hoped in her own 
heart to meet Arthur again. They had been classmates in college, 
and two or three letters had passed between them after Arthur had 
returned home. He had not dared to think of asking Mabel to be 
his wife, yet he could not give her up now they had met again. 

During her stay at the Blakewell residence, Arthur was a con- 
stant visitor. A month passed, and Mabel was going home. Ar- 
thur had not spoken a word to her that would indicate that he cared 
for her only as a friend, yet within her inmost soul she knew he 
loved her, and she dared not betray the secret of her own heart. 
She stood on the platform at the depot, awaiting the train that 
would carry her to her distant home; she had left the Blakewell 
mansion half an hour before Arthur would be at home from the 
bank, and, while waiting and watching, secretly hoped to see Ar- 
thur, yet again wishing he would not come, that she could have a 
good cry. Time dragged slowly on, and she walked up and down, 
very impatient and nervous. 

Mabel Dornblazer was a blonde, of surpassing beauty, very in- 
telligent and accomplished. Her parents were wealthy, and she 
moved among the highest circles. She had learned that Arthur 
was poor, with no income but his salary, and studied what she 
could do to assist him in making his mark in the world. This all 
passed through her mind, and as she stood there in her dark gray 
traveling costume, with his little cottage in view, she only wished 
to die that she might be spared the tidings that Arthur Granger 
had married another. The whistle of the approaching train was 
heard, and in another moment it was steaming up to the platform. 
Passengers clambered off, friends greeted friends, baggagemen 
tumbled trunks and boxes over into the baggage room, porters 
handed out bird cages and bundles of all descriptions, and after 
some minutes Mabel found herself in the car. She had kissed her 
aunt and cousin good bye. Her eyes were full of tears. She was 
heart sick, and yet she knew not why. She had been seated but 
a moment, and was looking at the little white cottage in the dis- 
tance, when she felt the presence of some one beside her. Arthur 
had learned that she was going home, and had hurried down to see 



I 60 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

the train moving away. Seating himself beside her, he told the 
story of his heart, and of his being poor; but long before the train 
reached Harrisburg she had promised to be his wife. The return- 
ing train carried him back to his home, and the next morning found 
him at his work as usual. Months passed by, and he visited Mabel 
at her home. She had not spoken to her parents concerning her 
betrothal to Arthur until his visit to them. To her great surprise, 
Mr. Dornblazer and Arthur's parents were friends in the past. 
They had been associates when they resided in the same village in 
years gone by. Mr. Dornblazer was very happy to know Mabel 
had chosen such a true, refined and intelligent partner for life, one 
he could call his son, and treat as such. But to Arthur's mother 
the news was more than flattering; she was delighted that Arthur 
was to be in such a good Christian family. 

Mr. Webster and Arthur received letters every few days from 
Charlie. He was delighted with the city of Topeka. Finally 
there came one saying he had made up his mind to come home. 
It was then near Thanksgiving. A few days later a telegram 
came to Mr. Webster, saying that Charlie was murdered in Kan- 
sas City. Accompanied by Arthur he set out for the West, leav- 
ing Mrs. Webster prostrated with grief. For the first time in her 
life she had to part with a near relative by death; she had always 
looked on that messenger at a distance. She could not realize 
when Charlie left that there was danger in his path. Her hard, 
cold heart was broken. She lay unconscious for hours, and, when 
roused, soon relapsed again into a delirious trance. 

Mr. Webster and Arthur found the lifeless form of Charlie at 
an undertaker's in Kansas City. They learned that he had called 
in at a saloon to get a drink, where he met a young man whom he 
had known in Topeka, by the name of Dick Craig. Dick was 
known in Topeka as a "bootlegger," a class of curbstone bar- 
tenders, who had whisky expressed to them, and then sold it in 
pint bottles from their pockets to drinking men at fifty cents a 
pint. Why he had arrived in Kansas City the night Charlie was 
murdered will never be known. Dick invited Charlie to drink 
with him, and have a game at cards, being apparently glad to see 
a familiar face in such a place as Kansas City; he never stopped 
to think, perhaps, that he only knew Dick as he had purchased 
whisky of him. They sat down at the table, where some four or 
five men, half drunk, were aching to get into a quarrel. Charlie 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. i6l 

began to drink, and soon was losing money. Angry words were 
heard, and in quicker time than it requires to tell it one of the 
toughs arose, drew his revolver, and fired, the ball penetrating 
Charlie's heart. He fell to the floor and expired in a few mo- 
ments. The murderer escaped, and Charlie's money and watch 
evidently went with him, though no one knew how or when he 
was robbed. Dick Craig was missing. He had returned to To- 
peka that night. 

The Webster mansion was thronged with friends and neighbors 
when they arrived with the remains. Mr. Webster remained be- 
side his wife, and Arthur took charge of the funeral arrange- 
ments, having sent Clara Shumway a telegram of the tragic death 
of Charlie Webster. 

Clara's home was on Forest avenue, in Reading, Pennsylvania, 
a quaint old German house, built in the eighteenth century, by 
Von Stanbau Landisha, a German musician, a grandfather of Mr. 
Shumway's mother. He called his castle "Ivy Hall." The Shum- 
ways had fallen heir to that grand old house, and Clara had never 
known any other home until sent to college, where she met Charlie 
Webster, and promised to be his wife. This old castle had many 
attractive features in itself alone — the huge fireplaces, with the 
high mantels carved out of oak, the heavy oaken doors, the pol- 
ished floors; and stored away in some of the unoccupied cham- 
bers of Ivy Hall was the old-fashioned furniture, settees with high 
backs, quaint chairs, bedsteads eight or ten feet high and posts six 
inches in diameter, bureaus without mirrors, and brass and silver 
candlesticks. Clara was very beautiful, a brunette, with laro-e 
expressive black eyes. She was tall and graceful, and had the re- 
finement of a queen. jj She was a linguist of considerable merit 
possessed a high classical education, and had extraordinary talent 
for music, having spent several years at the conservatory of music 
in Philadelphia, and carried off the highest honors of her graduat- 
ing class. Charlie had visited her often at her home, and was well 
received by her parents. They were very fond of each other, and 
when Mr. Shumway broke the tidings to her, without any evi- 
dence of emotion or grief she turned away to her room. She did 
not wish to attend the funeral, nor to view the remains. The 
thought of his being killed in a saloon made her heart ache and 
affected her more than indicated by her bearing. She had pictured 
a man far above all those uncivil and degrading habits in the per- 



1 62 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

son of Charlie Webster. She was so pure, so refined and precise 
in her nature, and unaccustomed to the coarse and rough side of 
life, that the blow was far deeper than it would have been if she 
had had brothers and a father who frequented such places of 
amusement and sin. 

She sat down by the window and gazed out on the snow- 
covered hills far beyond the city, and when her mother entered 
to ask her what they should telegraph to Arthur, she was as calm 
as though her heart was of stone. " Tell him to send Mabel here, 
and that I cannot come." 

Mabel and Clara had been friends from early childhood, and 
since their engagements to those two young men they had passed 
a great deal of time together. Mabel came, and not until they 
were alone did Clara shed a tear. She expressed her mind to her 
young friend in full. "I am glad I am free, if he was so reckless. 
He would have broken my heart in years to come. I am sorry 
that I have loved him as I have; I am almost wild to learn how 
he deceived me. I am going on the stage, and will never trust 
another man." She talked to Mabel until she was almost per- 
suaded to give Arthur up, but when she returned home she made 
up her mind that Arthur and his parents were of a different family 
altogether from the Websters. 

The funeral was over. Charlie Webster was laid in his last 
resting place. The floral tributes were many and costly, but not 
one was the gift of his affianced. Mr. and Mrs. Shumway sent a 
handsome wreath, and a basket of half -blown roses. Arthur was 
puzzled to know what was the cause of Clara's silence, but after 
the funeral was over, and he found time to visit Mabel, the mys- 
tery was explained. He sent Clara her letters and ring, telling 
her of Charlie's farewell request. 

Arthur and Mabel were married, and have moved into the 
Webster mansion. Mrs. Webster lost her reason, and had to be 
confined in an insane asylum. Mr. Webster made Arthur his 
partner, giving him half of his property. Arthur's mother spends 
most of her time visiting among her relatives in the New Eng- 
land States. 

Clara took up the study of music, and made her debut before a 
large New York audience at the Metropolitan Opera House last 
spring. She won honored laurels in that large city. There was 
a large audience present, including nearly all the prominent mu- 



TOPE KA. PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 1 63 

sicians in the city, and Von Schubert and his orchestra assisted in 
the concert. She received a royal welcome as she appeared on 
the stage, and as she took her seat showers of rose leaves fell over 
her and settled on her beautiful black hair, making it still more 
beautiful. Although slightly nervous at first, she forgot all but 
the music before her soon after being seated at the piano. She 
played with such sweet tenderness and with such delicacy, that 
the audience was delighted. Selections from Wagner, Liszt and 
Chopin were rendered, and each was interrupted by outbursts of 
applause from the audience. Being recalled several times, floral 
tributes were thrown around her, too many for her to carry away; 
she was voted a success, and went to her room that night the hap- 
piest woman in the city of New York. 

The world will say she had loved one so dearly that she could 
not forget him, and had sought the stage to soothe a broken heart. 
How little we know of such lives. When we gaze on Quintillian 
Castle, and remember the fate of him who built it, Charlie Web- 
ster, and of his poor mother's affliction, we say, "We shall reap 
what we sow." 



FAMORA. 

On the Marais des Cygnes, some three miles northwest of Stan- 
ton, is one of the oldest apple orchards in Kansas. It was planted 
in 1849, by Methodist missionaries, when the old mission was 
located there. 

Among the letters and notes found in the desk of Rev. Bishop 
Duncan was the following interesting story. If any reader of 
these pages should ever visit the orchard, he will find one of the 
most romantic places on the "River of Swans." A high ridge 
on the east and a heavy grove of timber on the north and west 
hide it from view. Only on the south, facing the river, is a 
glimpse caught of the old farm. Along a rough path from the 
east may be found a neat grove of forest trees, in which grove 
benches were at one time placed to accommodate hundreds of peo- 
ple who came there to worship God. "The groves were God's 
first temples." So it was in those days. Twenty years after, that 
orchard was planted, and the poor Indian had gone further south 
to find his hunting grounds. Then it was that the white man sat 
-and listened to the Rev. Davis Duncan for many years. Just 



164 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

below the orchard is a large spring of water, as clear as crystal; 
the branch runs down towards the river, there forming a large 
pond. This pond was once covered with nelumbo leaves, or, as 
the Indians called them, "yunkapins." They planted the yunka- 
pins as rice is sown, and made bread out of the delicious nuts, tak- 
ing out the green embryo, it being poison. The story found was 
Dr. Duncan's own version: 

In the spring of 1849, 1 was setting out trees, when one of the 
Indian maids, who was attending school, came and watched me at 
work. As I placed a tall, nicely-shaped tree in the earth, she said, 
"Don't you call on Pomona to bless your tree, so it will be of 
some use to the world?" "No," said I, "there is but one God, 
and He doeth all things well." 

"Do you have a god to take care of your harvest and fruits, 
Wyona?" I asked. "Yes, Famora is our goddess of the vegetable 
world or kingdom," answered Wyona. "Tell me about Famora," 
I said. 

"Famora was the beautiful daughter of Womooka, our chief, 
who came from the north and drove the Pandories (the mound 
builders) from this land. Large fields of yunkapins and Indian 
corn waved in the breeze, but my people did not know which to 
eat of. They found food prepared, but dared not touch any of it, 
lest it should be poisoned. The wild deer and rabbits were scarce, 
and the poor warriors were hungry. Womooka tried to persuade 
some one to try the grain growing in the fields, but none were 
brave enough to taste a morsel of any food prepared. 'Are we 
going to starve?' asked Womooka. 'No, father, I will save my 
people' said Famora, 'I will see what is good.' In vain did they 
try to keep her from making an attempt to eat the ripe nuts and 
corn. Gathering a small quantity of each, she roasted it by the 
fire. When taken out of the fire, she knelt down by the repast to 
be eaten, and asked the Great Spirit to keep her from the evils 
and bad spirits of other hunting grounds if she should die; and if 
she lived, asked to be goddess over all green and ripe fruits and 
grain. The warriors stood with their faces covered, and the tom- 
ahawks at their feet. Famora closed her prayer, took up the 
brown, crisp corn, and ate of it, and then of the nuts of the yiink- 
apin, and soon she felt better. The next day she was crowned 
Famora, keeper of all we have to eat and the flowers in all the 
vegetable kingdom. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 165 

"Her lover was not a handsome brave, and had many faults, hut 
she loved him dearly, yet would not consent to be his bride. He 
followed her as she went out among the trees and flowers. One 
day she gathered some yunkapins, and ate them without roasting 
them, having previously taken out the green embryo. Famora 
started up and sped away like a deer. Omeka, her lover, tried to 
follow her, but she was far away before he had fairly started. He 
gathered large handfuls of the nuts, and supposing it was the 
green germ that she had eaten, he hulled and ate them, and then 
turned to follow Famora; but, alas, he fell to the earth a corpse. 
Famora returned and wept over him, but he had gone to the hunt- 
ing grounds of his fathers. She broke off some boughs of a shrub 
that grew near, and covered the lifeless form of Omeka. Just 
as she was placing the last bough, and while holding it in her 
hand to break off a rough twig, she saw Omeka's father approach- 
ing. She knew she, too, must die; she could not defend herself 
against this warrior. In a moment the bush in her hand was 
transformed into a bow, the twig into an arrow, and with unerring 
aim the arrow had pierced the heart of the old Indian; he lay dead 
beside his son. The blood from his wound sank into the earth 
and rose in the wood of a sycamore tree, and the wood of that tree 
has since been red. Omeka was very white, so the branches of 
this tree were also white. Famora caused it to grow near streams 
of water, giving the forest a gloomy appearance along the rivers 
and streams." 

"Wyona, is this all true?" 

"Yes, as true as our legends and fairies can be. We have for- 
gotten most of them. But we never forget Famora, the prettiest 
queen this land ever knew, and the shrub she held in her hand 
and which was changed into an arrow, is called to-day Indian ar- 
row wood, and, looking closely, you can see the prints of her pretty 
hand upon the bow." 

Wyona was right in telling her story, that it might be handed 
down from one race of people to the present, who love to search 
out the myths and hidden treasures of the new world. Wyona 
lies buried some two miles east of where the old orchard stands. 
Near a grove of cottonwood trees on the old Martin White farm 
is her grave. A rough slab of sandstone marks her resting place, 
placed there by those kind missionaries. Perhaps she lies near 
the old home with Famora, who passed into the wild sensitive rose 



1 66 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

when her tribe was removed to the Indian Territory. Some say- 
she has passed into the evening primrose, and returns to watch the 
old apple tree Rev. Duncan planted. 

The old Peoria mission is almost forgotten, and the old orchard 
is going to waste. Rev. Duncan and his followers are scattered, 
and the New Hope Church, a fine chapel, stands near. The race 
who were there fifty years ago, Famora and her tribe, have gone; 
yet may they live in the memory of the pale face for years to 
come. Omeka and his father are here, they live on all our streams; 
and may Famora and Omeka return and inherit the land they once 
lived in, where now the boys and girls gather nelumbo nuts in the 
ponds, and show to the strangers the home of the Indians long 
years ago, when they planted large fields of yunkapins. 

THE PATHFINDER. 

[The "Pathfinder," a balloon, was sent up at St. Louis, September 22, 1879; 
it carried Captain Wise and one other passenger. They were missing for two- 
weeks; no trace of them could be found. Then the body of Captain Wise was 
washed ashore on Lake Michigan, and was identified by his cuff buttons.] 

Aerial ship, where hast thou flown? 

Art thou searching afar in the frigid zone 

For an open sea and a temperate clime, 

Where south birds hie in our own spring time? 

Or didst thou meet, in thy heedless flight, 

The storm king in majestic might, 

Who carried thee on in thy airy wake, 

Above the waves of an angry lake, 

And cast thee down on the rolling surge, 

While the roaring winds sang a farewell dirge 

O'er thy noble crew in the midnight dark? 

It was sunny noon. Like a joyous lark 

We saw thee rise in the ethereal blue, 

Carrying thy brave aeronautic crew. 

But we did not see in the bright, blue sky 

The angel of death. Was he hovering nigh? 

Fear is whispering, now that thou art gone, 

That thy crew had perished as the early dawn, 

And down in the deep they dreamless lie, 

Though thy bark was launched for the azure sky. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 1 67 

THE MARAIS DES CYGNES. 
I know of a river so dark and deep, 
Its murky waters seem ever to sleep; 
I played on its banks in childhood hours, 
And gathered the rarest of Nature's flowers; 
The name of that dark and muddy stream 
Is the "River of Swans," Marais des Cygnes. 

When I wander back through memory's hall, 
My childhood friends, I greet them all; 
And the old log cabin with its windows two, 
Where wild verbenas around it grew, 
Still comes to me in my day-time dreams, 
When I wander back to Marais des Cygnes. 

The deep ravine, with its banks of clay — 

My brother and I went there to play ; 

Now its banks are lost in the walls of corn, 

And the farmer laughs at me with scorn, 

When I tell him changed are the many scenes 

Of my childhood home, on the Marais des Cygnes. 

How the coyote came to the kitchen door, 
Or boldly walked on the granary floor; 
How the Indian came to beg some bread, 
And mother knew not a word he said; 
And the little fawn so oft I 've seen, 
By the river of swans, Marais des Cygnes. 

All, all these scenes of my childhood home 
Are dear to me where'er I roam; 
Bards may sing in the sweetest rhyme 
Of the Ohio wide, or the sunny Rhine; 
But give to me, with its changing scenes, 
The river of swans, the Marais des Cygnes. 

THE PRAIRIE LARK. 
Sweet bird, adieu; farewell, farewell to-day, 
Thou art singing to me thy parting lay; 
Ere to-morrow's noon thou 'It hie away 
To climes where unknown is winter's day. 



1 68 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

There other friends are watching and waiting for you, 

Your April carols you will then renew, 

In that sunny clime, land of the honey dew. 

Farewell, sweet bird; lark of the prairies, adieu. 

But pause; a message I fain would have you take — 

Bear it far beyond the Indian's lake; 

But stop near the banks of a muddy stream, 

' Tis the "river of swans," the Marais des Cygnes. 

Go and drink at that crystal spring, 

Where in years gone by I heard you sing — 

Heard your song to the dying day. 

Yes, there beneath the black haw's shade 

Two brothers and I at close of day 

Paused to hear your song, our footsteps stayed, 

To hear your song at the close of day; 

At early dawn one had passed away: 

Calvin grew weary, his play was done, 

He heard no more the songs you sung; 

He folded his hands in sign of rest, 

His dimpled hands across his breast. 

Spring flowers they gathered to deck his brow — 

White flowers were they — I see them now. 

In Stanton's churchyard he lies at rest; 

Go sing o'er his grave your sweetest song; 

He will hear it above in the angelic throng. 

Tell him I will come by his side to rest 

When my play is finished, my work is done. 

Linger a moment at the farm house there, 

Of sandstone brown, where roses rare 

Give forth their fragrance on the summer air. 

They are mine — those roses there by the garden wall, 

But another planted that maple tall, 

That buds and blooms in early spring — 

On its topmost bough sit there and sing. 

'T was mother's hand that placed it there; 

Then haste away, to her the message bear; 

Tell her Fate may say " Depart, abide, 

Be a wanderer from thy mother's side;" 

But Hope has spread her pinions wide 

O'er me, her lone and wandering child; 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 169 

And I see afar through the gathering gloom 

A radiant star — 't is the wanderer's boon. * 

I see it shine in the distance now, 

While the cares that fell on my youthful brow 

Are vanished — have fled by that star's bright ray; 

Tell her all, sweet bird, do not delay. 

She waits in her snow-white cottage for my return, 

And, when the south winds tell us spring has come, 

I'll be watching and waiting for you. 

Lark of the prairies, farewell, adieu. 



OUR NEIGHBOR'S BOY. 

"'Tis only a boy we have buried to-day," 
They carelessly said as they turned away 
From the new-made grave of their neighbor's son, 
And they hurry home, for their work was done; 
They buried to-day their neighbor's son. 
Yes, only a boy, oh neighbors, we know; 
Yet why not bear him as gentle and slow 
As though he were prince of your land. 
Yes, only a boy ! In that little band 
Of mourners, weeping so bitterly now, 
One will wear through life a gloom on her brow 
For her darling Willie you carried awa}' 
To his resting place, the quiet grave; 
And so long will they miss him at home, 
As a prince would be missed from his throne; 
For each household is a kingdom alone, 
And each boy is a prince of its throne. 
Did you slowly move o'er the cold, damp road, 
As you carried him home to his last abode, 
And gently place in the new-made grave 
That rosewood coffin, with its freight of clay? 
And lightly replace that covering of earth 
O'er that bright-eyed boy of humble birth ? 
And place kindly and neatly a slab at his head, 
To show to the mourners the home of their dead ? 



170 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

Ah, no ! Swiftly o'er the cold, damp road 
¥ou carried him home to his last abode, 
And rudely placed in the new-made grave 
The rosewood coffin with its freight of clay, 
And rudely heaped that covering of earth 
O'er that bright-eyed boy of humble birth; 
Not a slab did you place by his dreamless bed 
To show to the mourners the home of their dead. 
You hurry home, for your work is done; 
You buried to-day your neighbor's son. 



MY GEM. 

I was carelessly turning the pages of a large book the other 
day, when I was surprised to find a picture. Although a great 
number of books have pictures in them, engraved on their fair 
pages, this picture was not one printed on the pages of that book; 
it was a little "gem" picture, of a sweet-faced boy of some ten 
years of age. The heavy locks of raven black hair clustered on 
the high, white forehead, giving him almost the beauty of some 
lovely maiden, while the soft brown eyes wore a shade of sadness 
in them as they looked into mine, and the half-parted lips seemed 
ready to speak to me. They had some secret to tell me, yet they 
do not break the silence. I looked at the little gem, and lifted it 
to my lips. My eyes filled with tears, as my mind went back some 
ten years, when I was called to teach the Chestnut Grove school. 
The school house was a low, brown stone structure, standing in a 
shaded dale some distance from that good, old, historic village Osa- 
watomie. Among my forty-two pupils were two sweet-faced chil- 
dren, a boy and a girl, Harry and Hattie. They were twins, and 
much alike in disposition and looks; they were the pets of the 
school, and their teacher idolized them. I endeavored to shun par- 
tiality, but Harry and Hattie surely were my pets. I loved them 
dearly, and my love was returned. They remembered me, it 
seemed, in all their waking hours. Every morning, noon and re- 
cess some kind token came to my desk from them; flowers, nuts, 
fruits and beautiful shells they brought to me. I was lost, almost, 
if their parents kept them at home to assist in some light work 
about the farm, and when with them or absent ( they always 



TOPER' A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



171 



seemed to be at my side) I longed to shield them, as if harm would 
overtake them. They were my earth angels. 

Nine months passed awa}', and I bade adieu to my school; it was 
a sad farewell to both teacher and scholars. We kissed each other 
at the gate, and with eyes dimmed by tears I took the train for my 
home, some sixty miles away. Many letters came to me, telling 
me all the news, first from one pupil and then from another; but 
at the close of every two weeks came one that I loved to read bet- 
ter than all. It was all for me; no one else was thought of in 
those letters. They were from Harry and Hattie. 

A year passed by, and I ceased to answer as promptly as I had 
at first; business detained me, and at last I almost ceased to think 
of them. 

"But one day a letter in a shade of black 
I saw within the postman's pack." 

My heart sank within me. Who was gone ? Who of my dear- 
est friends had crossed the dark stream — the river from whence no 
traveler eyer returns ? I took the unwelcome missive, broke the 
seal, and read the name at the bottom — "Harry." Yes, it was 
from my little boy friend ; he told all in a few lines. His mother 
and Hattie were both gone. They were laid in their last resting 
place side by side, and Harry was all alone, almost heart broken. 
"I have no one to love but my dear teacher, now," he said, in clos- 
ing. I found the "gem" enclosed, and how could I help but shed 
tears, and reproach myself for forgetting my young friends? I an- 
swered him, and within a few days came a long letter telling me all. 
His mother and Hattie had both been taken away by fever; he told 
how, within a few weeks, his father had brought another into the 
home for him to call mother. What anguish and deep sorrow 
that letter told to me. I knew what a love there was between 
that brother and sister; I knew what an affectionate child he was; 
and within my heart I prayed that I might lead him in some path 
where the sun would shine, and he might be a bright light, and 
his life be spent in doing good. I told him what to do: gather his 
books about him ; make good books his friends. 

Some eight years passed away, and I had again almost lost track 
of my little friend. The door bell rang in my city home; I an- 
swered it, and there stood before me a handsome young man, well 
dressed, and an air of refinement seemed to dwell in his every 
movement. I knew I had met those eyes before, but I could not 



1^2 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

tell where or when. He said: "Have you forgotten Harry ?" I 
held out my hands to welcome him; he took me in his arms and 
kissed me as I had him and his sister years before. I wept with 
joy at again meeting one I had loved so well. He was a man of 
twenty-two. He had spent his youth, he said, as I had planned it 
for him. He was a polished scholar, and was on his way to fill 
some high place in an Eastern college from which he had gradu- 
ated. He carried with him the picture of a beautiful girl who was 
soon to be his bride. I had not forgotten her. She, too, was of 
that school, a baby we called her, and it was Harry who had lifted 
her up to the window of the coach for me to give her the last kiss 
before the train started. Yes, I remembered little Gertie. 
. Now, as I write, there lies a long letter on the table from a happy 
couple in an Eastern city asking me to visit them, and make their 
home mine, and at the bottom is signed, "Harry and Gertie." 



THE OLD YEAR'S WARNING. 

It was New Year's eve. I breathed a sigh, 
As I tarried to watch the Old Year die, 
When lo ! a form from the dial's face 
Glided down to me with steps apace; 
It was the form of the good Old Year, 
Who kindly said, on coming near: 

"Farewell, young friend, I'm dying now; 
I feel Death's hand upon my brow; 
My breath is chilled by the wintry blast; 
At the hour of twelve I shall breathe my last; 
But ere I die, of you I ask 
To learn of me a New Year's task. 

"Improve the moments as they fly; 
The coming years, they, too, must die; 
Gather knowledge now, in thy youthful years; 
Age will come, with its garnered cares; 
Then the mind will search on Memory's plain 
For Wisdom's treasures; must it search in vain ? 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 1 73 

"Of the idler's path beware ! Oh shun ! 
There's work for all; it must be done; 
Gather each day thy daily bread, 
For all thy household must be fed; 
King Toil's crown hath the brightest gems, 
He weareth the costliest of diadems. 

« Oh watch and pray ; thou knowest not 
When Death will enter thy lowly cot; 
He claimeth the young as well as the old, 
To carry home to the Master's fold; 
And now, farewell; 'tis the hour of twelve: 
I 'm going home, where the fairies dwell." 

Old Time, with his train of countless years, 
Whose robes are washed with human tears, 
Wrapped the lifeless form in a snowy shroud, 
And the noiseless hearse, a fleeting cloud, 
They bore away to realms unknown, 
And the New Year reigned in my humble home. 

Of the Old Year's warning I will take heed, 

And guard my life in each thought and deed; 

Each moment shall bring some treasure rare; 

My heart will turn, in earnest prayer, 

To God above, who rules alone, 

And sent the New Year to my humble home. 



THE SNOW ANGEL. 

On a cold New Year's eve, it was years, years ago, 

Brattleboro lay wrapped in a mantle of snow, 

While her watchers passed on in their boundless pathway, 

Their lamps burning brightly till dawn of the day. 

Those watchers, they the stars in the heavens above, 

Watched over that village with the Angel of Love, 

While the Angel of Sleep came noiselessly down 

To cross over each threshold of that Green Mountain town. 



1^4 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

But Sleep entered not a little cottage that night; 

Through the half-opened shutter was gleaming a light 

From the glowing fire on the cottager's hearth. 

For lo! Genius, too, was visiting the earth, 

And sat by the hearthstone. In the embers' bright glow 

A form he was shaping of the beautiful snow, 

Recording the last words of the dying Old Year. 

A muffled form glided out from the cottage that night; 
In the crisp, cold air by the lantern's pale light 
A pedestal of snow a young genius soon made. 
Firmer and stronger the foundation was made, 
As he worked noiselessly on with the beautiful snow, 
Till the Pleiades in the western horizon hung low; 
When lo! on the base a Recording Angel stood there 
Recording the last words of the dying Old Year. 

He carried that Snow Angel steadily away, 
And near the crossing of the country highway 
He carefully placed that angelic form; 
And hastened away for the coming of morn. 
He saw in the rose-tinted clouds of the east, 
Sol was approaching to cheer the holiday feast, 
His rays falling upon the Snow Angel there, 
Recording the last words of the dying Old Year. 

From the village came first was poor, crazy Jim, 
He stood there and gazed till his eyes grew dim; 
Once more he wandered back over Memory's plain, 
And recrossed that threshold where in sunshine or rain 
The Angel of Innocence hovered over his head, 
When a fond mother knelt by his low trundle bed, 
To tell him of angels in the " Home over there." 
He saw the Recording Angel of the Old Year. 

In his sleigh from the mountain the country man came, 
And beheld that strange creation, so white and so tame ; 
He was soon in the village proclaiming to all 
That Death was coming: he was giving the last call. 



7 0PEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 175 

Brave men rushed out to see the strange sight, 
Standing there so pure and so white; 
Men, women and children looked at that object so queer 
And whispered, "What will happen this New Year?" 



INDIANOLA'S BRIDE. 

"Men are only boys grown tall, 
Hearts don't change much after all." 

Indianola's first district school is one long to be remembered by 
a few of the best men and women of our Nation. It was a little 
house built of unhewn logs. The roof, loft and door were made 
of rough boards, riven from the trunk of some huge oak, which 
had been cut down to make room for the house. The trunk was 
sawed into lengths some three or four feet long, and with a large 
wooden maul and iron wedges the blocks were quartered, after 
which a mallet and froe were used to rive the boards into proper 
thickness. 

The windows were four in number, two in each side of the 
house, there being twelve panes of 8x10 glass in each window. 
The floor was made of large, thick puncheons, extending the en- 
tire length of the room. These were split out of some white tim- 
ber, and the upper side made smooth with an adze. 

The only door was at the east end of the house, the logs having 
been sawed out and the ends made to stay in place by means of 
hickory pegs put through the casement into the logs in a small au- 
ger hole. The room was warmed by means of a large fireplace 
cut out of the logs at the west end, the chimney being built of un- 
dressed limestone rocks on the outside of the building. The 
school-room furniture was not shipped from Chicago or St. Louis, 
but was manufactured on the spot. A blackboard, made of the 
side of a dry goods box painted black, hung against the rough 
wall. A board, put upon some pegs in the wall behind the door, 
served as a shelf for the painted water bucket and tin cup. A 
table, made of pine lumber bought at Kansas City for the purpose, 
stood in the middle of the room, for the teacher and scholars to 
write upon. The teacher's seat was a low chair bottomed with 
hickory bark, the rough outside being scalped off with a drawing- 
knife. The benches were thick puncheons with holes bored near 



I 76 TO PER A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

the ends, and legs driven into these holes. These afforded seats for 
pupils and visitors. A small sheep bell called the children to their 
studies. 

The play ground, though, was the most delightful one to be 
seen in any State. The creek ran just below the school house, and 
the low underbrush of hazel and other small growth kept the cool 
north winds in check and made cosy homes for the birds, which 
were there in great numbers. The winters in Kansas those days 
were not so cold as they have been for the past few years. Crows, 
robins and quails grew very tame, and came on the doorstep for 
food, the children feeding them out of their dinner buckets. In 
spring the wild flowers grew in abundance, the redbud, haw, crab 
apple and plums giving the thicket the appearance of some fairy 
bower. 

They were bright and intelligent boys and girls who sat upon 
those long, rude benches, and studied the difficult lessons in the 
common branches of the English language; and among the bright- 
est of the boys was Harry Pennee, a tall, well-built youth of fif- 
teen. Just across the room, opposite him, sat Belle Bennett, a 
pretty girl of twelve. 

The school for the first term closed on Christmas afternoon, in 
1855, anc ^ Harry and Belle walked along the road together. It 
was a cold afternoon; the wind was blowing almost a gale from 
the northwest, while the dark clouds rolled over to the southeast, 
but those two young lovers did not feel the wind nor those dark, 
fleeting shadows. They were engaged in deep conversation, more 
thoughtful than half the world at the age of twenty. 

Harry was going away on the morrow, not to return for many 
years, if ever. His father had been appointed minister to one of 
the South American republics, and Harry was to go to an Eastern 
college, and afterwards join his parents in their new home. 

" I will come for you some time, Belle. Do n't you say no." 
Belle did n't look up. She dared not, for her eyes were full of 
tears. She only held out her hand, and Harry clasped her to his 
bosom. Kissing her lips he said, " I will live for you alone. My 
life will be devoted to you, my own dear girl." In another mo- 
ment he was gone. 

The spring came; the Indianola school opened again. Belle 
Bennett was there, but she had changed. Her manner was quiet 
and reserved. She did not seem unhappy, but her actions told too 



II 

* % ,' 






- ■---,'; 



% 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



177 



plainly that she had no interest there. She did not enter into the 
games with the other children, but studied hard, and in her idle 
moments gathered boughs of the flowering shrubs, haws, plums, 
redbud and wild vines, to brighten up the rude school house. The 
fireplace was filled with those fragrant blossoms, and arches looped 
over the rough mantel. All these little traits showed in her a taste 
for the beautiful. 

The summer came, and no word from Harry, not even a letter 
to any of the neighbors, except from Mr. Pennee. Belle grew 
restless and uneasy. She did not care to reveal her secret, but re- 
mained at home, shunning the company of her former associates. 
She did not leave off her books and music, however, but kept her 
mind busy in this way when not employed about the house. Her 
mother had been a teacher in a seminary before she married Mr. 
Bennett, and they had managed to bring her piano with them to 
Kansas. Belle had this advantage over most girls in those early 
days of Kansas settlement. 

Four years passed, and no tidings came to Belle of her young 
lover. She grew pale and careworn. Her parents became alarmed 
at her failing health, and determined to seek a different home, to 
see if she could not be made happy, if nothing more. They re- 
turned to Brooklyn, their former home. The gay, active life of 
the city soon brought the roses back to Belle's cheeks, and she be- 
came the pet and favorite of her many associates. At that time 
the whole Nation was astir, for the great rebellion was at its height. 
Mr. Bennett had gone to the war. Far away in the South he had 
witnessed the thickest of the battle, and had been commissioned an 
officer in command of a division under Grant. He came home on 
furlough. A great many soldiers, both officers and privates, were 
in the city of Brooklyn at that time. The city was all excitement 
and gayety, if it were possible for people to be gay at such times. 
Every one in the North endeavored to make the soldier happv 
when he came home. Every mansion in Brooklyn was ablaze; 
balls, receptions, luncheons and parties of every fashionable de- 
scription were given to the brave boys in blue. On Christmas eve, 
Belle and her father were invited to an entertainment given by 
the artists of Brooklyn at the palatial residence of General Cald- 
well, in honor of General Harry Pennee. Belle read the card, 
and her heart beat in quick throbs for a few moments, but she said 
to herself, "I know it is not my Harry. It may be his father or 



178 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

cousin. I know it is not my Harry." But why do women hold 
on with such temerity to such ideas or flashes of the brain when 
they say to themselves, "I know it is not so"? It was thus with 
Belle Bennett. She said she knew it was not Harry Pennee; but 
why did she select a lovely oil painting she had executed of her 
Kansas home and the old log school house in the valley, and send 
it to those parlors? Why did she remain so long at her toilet that 
evening ? 

It was late when she came down, and never in her life did she 
look so well. Her rich blue satin was looped with roses, and the 
overdress of costly India lace was caught back with a cluster of 
pearls. Her bright golden hair was tastefully arranged, and a 
miniature silver fan, the work of an Indian, was the ornament she 
had chosen for it. A beautiful necklace of pearls entwined her 
white throat, diamond bracelets shone on her wrists; but her finely- 
shaped hands were bare, and only a pure white ring, with a single 
pearl set in it, was on her hand. That ring was Harry's gift; he 
had made it himself out of a shell picked out of Soldier creek, and 
the pearl was one his mother had given him. He took it to 
Topeka and had it set by the jeweler. Belle had laid it away, and 
now it was brought forth to be worn on this occasion; yet she did 
not believe the General Pennee was Harry! 

She had scarcely entered the house before Mamie Caldwell 
sought her out to compliment her picture. "Mr. Pennee says he 
knows that place," she said. Belle grew faint and dizzy. "Are 
you ill? "asked Mamie. "No, the air is close for me here. That 
is all." Belle now caught sight of the hero of the evening, and, 
sure enough, there was Harry. She saw him pause often before 
that painting and look at it; then he would glance about him, 
searching the gaily-thronged parlors, and scrutinizing each coun- 
tenance to see if any familiar face was there. Belle had hidden 
away in a deep window, and drawn the curtain so that she might 
see without being seen. She saw Harry at Mamie's side almost 
constantly. She saw him smile on his young hostess as he had 
smiled on her years before. Enduring the agony for an hour or 
so, Belle sought her father, and requested him to take her home. 
She left the brilliant throng and sought her room to ease her 
aching heart. She had learned that she had been deceived, and all 
the light and hope of her young life were left to die out. All 
night did she sob and weep, and not until morning did she close 



TOPE ft A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 179 

her eyes for rest. At the breakfast table the traces of tears were 
still visible. She had laid the ring in a tiny box, and, wrapping it 
in several pieces of paper had directed it to General Harry Pen- 
nee. As she stepped on the threshold of the post office her heart 
failed her. "I will wait a few days longer," she said to herself, 
and hurried home without fulfilling the errand she had started out 
to perform. 

Time passed on, and she did not see or hear from Harry. Her 
picture came home; she searched in every corner, and in the crev- 
ices of the canvas to see if any note, line or word was left for her. 
Why had he forgotten her? Why should she wait and weep? 
She would be brave hereafter, and never think of him. The pic- 
ture was hung back in its place in a dark corner, and the ring 
locked in a secret drawer, and again with pale cheeks did Belle 
commence life anew. In the morning paper she read that General 
Pennee had gone West, and that his wedding cards were soon to 
be issued. 

Let us now follow Harry Pennee since we left him on that cold 
Christmas day in Kansas. 

He entered Harvard, and among the first acquaintances he made 
was Charlie Caldwell. They became fast friends. When Charlie 
visited his home in Brooklyn he insisted that Harry accompany 
him. It was thus the Caldwells began the courtship for Mamie. 
He had written two letters to Belle, but received no reply. Those 
letters were written at the residence of the Caldwells, and left for 
the porter to post. No answer came. Why did Belle not answer? 
He was deeply interested in his books, and when he left college to 
join his parents in South America his heart was almost given to 
Mamie Caldwell. 

Her family were refined and wealthy. They moved among the 
highest circles, and Harry was by nature a refined youth, and the 
culture he received at home made him superior to most of his ac- 
quaintances. The Caldwells saw this, and were determined to 
have him in the family. Like most men (it makes little difference 
what their position in life) Harry liked to be petted, and the Cald- 
well family could extend such nice little home favors to make him 
feel as though it were all through pure friendship, that Harry did 
not see the main cause of such true friendship. 

Harry had only been with his parents a few months when Fort 
Sumpter was bombarded. He soon sailed to New York and be- 



l8o TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

gan making up recruits for a regiment. He was elected colonel 
and sent south, and soon, by his ability and bravery, was promoted 
to major general. Letters passed constantly between him and the 
Caldwell family. Many an hour was passed on the camp ground 
in answering Mamie's long, well-written epistles. Thus he found 
those friends dear to him; unsought, yet they were growing dearer. 

And when he came to Brooklyn, it is not surprising that he 
asked Mamie to be his wife and was accepted. Yet within his 
bosom rested a doubt. A something, he knew not what, told him 
that he was not happy. He thought he loved Mamie, but when 
his eyes rested on that picture of his Western home, there arose a 
strange feeling in his bosom. He saw that sweet-faced girl, his 
first love, and plainly did he now remember his vows to her. 
Mamie could not give him any clue as to who had sent that paint- 
ing, and for the first time in their acquaintance he saw her jealous 
glance on him as he stood admiring it. Could she have had any- 
thing to do with the long silence between himself and Belle? "No, 
it could not be," he said, and the doubt was driven from his mind. 

He had determined to visit his old home in the West. After 
the entertainment was over that evening, he remained in the de- 
serted parlors and examined the works of art selected and sent 
there. He was an artist himself, and loved the study. He saw 
no picture in the collection that excelled that of his Western home. 
He took from his note book a leaf, wrote a few lines upon it, and 
twined it among the cords that held the picture in place. " I will 
surely find some trace of the artist or owner," said he to himself. 
But he was mistaken. After waiting a few days he left, as the 
paper announced. As he was descending the steps on leaving the 
Brooklyn mansion, he picked up Mamie's walking gloves, and put 
them in his pocket. 

The journey was a long, tedious one, and, looking about for 
something to amuse him, he put his hand into his pocket, and took 
out the gloves, and there lay before his eyes the note he had writ- 
ten and placed behind the cord of that painting, crumpled as if 
hastily pushed into the glove. He looked at it and wondered; then 
he guessed at the author of a thousand little incidents and mistakes 
that had happened since he had been in that family. The journey 
seemed longer still, now that he had learned the source of all his 
little troubles. Though he had made no mention of his early love 
to Charlie, he had often thought they knew something. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. l8l 

He felt more anxious now than ever to reach Indianola, and the 
train never moved so slowly. He passed through Topeka without 
giving it a glance, and soon stood upon the threshold of his former 
home. He was invited in; (all soldiers were welcome in any resi- 
dence in Kansas at that time.) He soon learned that the lady of 
the house was one of his classmates; through that source Harry 
learned of Mr. Bennett's family, and that Belle was still single. 

Of his most intimate friends when there at school, all had gone. 
Ed. Wilson, the chosen one, lay buried on some nameless stream in 
Wyoming. They were nearly the same age, and Harry had often 
wished to take Ed. with him to school, but their lots were cast in 
different directions. Ed. was poor, and went West with a com- 
panion, and lost what money they had with them. They went to 
work, and Ed. soon became ill. Fever came, and on a couch made 
of the boughs of trees with blankets spread upon them he lay, in a 
small tent, unconscious for weeks, and in his wild, delirious rav- 
ings he begged for his mother to come and bathe his aching head. 
Only his companion was there, and of Ed. he wrote: "I did all I 
could. No one can realize what I suffered in taking care of him. 
The cold rain beat down on our tent and gave him a cold. I had 
to go seven miles to get the medicine I gave him. No physician 
could be had, and when I closed his eyes in that long sleep, I knelt 
and prayed earnestly for the departed one, and the living, too. It 
was the dark hour of midnight. Only a little tin lamp gave us light, 
and there I sat alone till day, with my lifeless friend. The rain 
beat on the canvas and the wolves howled in the thickets near by. 
The owls just at day began to hoot, and were answered by the 
screaming of a mountain lion. I fastened the tent the best I could, 
built a fire outside to keep the wolves away, and went in search of 
some trappers two miles away to assist in burying my friend. They 
came and brought a box, and we wrapped him in the blankets, and 
on the banks of the stream they made his grave. As we lowered 
the box into the rude grave, large raindrops fell, as though heaven, 
too, were weeping over that dear one laid to rest so far from home, 
amid a wilderness, and with but one friend to miss him through 
the long days and lonely nights." When Harry read that sad letter, 
written some years before, he could not keep back the tears. He 
had planned, in his coming West, that he would have such a fine 
time with Ed. Wilson, and learn all about the old settlers, and es- 
pecially about Belle. But now he had no one to confide in. 



1 82 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

He learned that Belle was very pretty and accomplished, and 
finding Mr. Bennett's address at the Indianola post office, he re- 
traced his steps. He had already consigned the tell-tale gloves to 
the stove, and forsworn his allegiance to the Caldwell family, and 
was now determined to find the owner of that school-house paint- 
ing at any cost. 

He was off on sixty days' furlough, and had spent nearly three 
weeks in Kansas. It was a dark, gloomy day when he arrived in 
Brooklyn. Instead of being driven to Caldwell's, he went to the 
Bennett residence, and leaving the cab, walked up the broad pave- 
ment leading to the house. Belle was at the window looking out. 
She saw him, and forgot that awful night at the Cald wells, remem- 
bering only the last time they had talked together, away out in 
Kansas. She did not wait to call a servant, or let him ring the 
bell, but flew into the hall, and, before he had reached the door she 
had it open. Harry was the first to speak. He said, "I have 
found you at last," and folded her to his bosom. 

Never was there such a stir in fashionable circles in Brooklyn 
as there was when the announcement was made in the leading 
papers of the marriage of General Harry Pennee to Miss Belle 
Bennett. 

The Caldwells dared not move. They had been fairly caught 
at their stealing, and at opening and destroying letters. They 
knew Harry had them in his power. He sent Mamie a letter tell- 
ing her of the note and the gloves, and of her answer to his query 
as to the artist or owner of that painting, whom she knew, but had 
preferred telling him a falsehood. Mamie read the letter, screamed 
and fainted, but the next morning was at the breakfast table, ap- 
parently as happy as ever, dispelling all proffers of sympathy, and 
declaring that she intended making a good match, and that no one 
need worry about her. 

Never was there a more devoted couple than Mr. and Mrs. Pen- 
nee. They were married in a few weeks, and Harry returned to 
his command, a happier man than he had ever thought to be. The 
war over, he was appointed to some high office in Washington, 
and there they reside to-day, with two sweet children to play and 
romp at their feet as they sit and recount the past. Belle wears 
the little white shell ring, and says it is far more precious than the 
diamonds Harry gave her the day they were married. The paint- 
ing of the little, old Indianola school house hangs over the mantel. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 1 83 

and Harry tells his friends it is the home of his sweetheart in the 
West. The only dark shadow is that poor Ed. Wilson lies out in 
the far West, his grave unknown. 



THOU HAST LEFT OUR HOME DESOLATE. 

These words we read upon a monument some years ago in one 
of our Western cemeteries. It was a tall, slender shaft of pure 
white, resting upon a heavy base of darker marble. 

We paused and read again, " Thou hast left our home desolate." 
We knew these words were chosen by loved ones at home, and 
not by the stranger who carved them upon that slab. We knew 
in life the one who slept beneath that well-kept mound. We knew 
that family whose support and protection was gone. We saw the 
lifeless form carried out from the pleasant and luxurious home he 
had made. 

We saw the fond wife, his companion from early youth, her 
hair streaked with gray, bend over and kiss the cold lips and brow 
for the last time on earth. The sons and daughters still at home 
came and wept bitterly over that father taken from them in his 
prime. 

But there came another, leaning on the arm of the minister; her 
hair was white with the snows of many winters. She was his 
aged mother. She came with a stout heart. She bowed over and 
kissed her only child. She then knelt beside him and prayed she 
might be able to bear the burden laid upon her. She prayed that 
they might meet again, and for the widowed companion and fa- 
therless children, and in closing her prayer and supplication she 
said: "Oh my child, thou hast left our home so desolate." So des- 
olate! How those words rang in our ears; they passed over us 
with more than a solemn thought. How many of us would thus 
be missed? How many are the stay and comfort of their parents, 
the loving protectors of their companions, the guides and supports 
to their children, the kind, indulgent brothers or sisters? 

Yes, how many will have it written within the home circle, if 
not carved upon the marble slab at their head, "Thou hast left our 
home desolate"? 



184 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 



THE WIDOW OF WAKARUSA. 

Wakarusa is an Indian word, meaning "big weeds," and well did 
they name this sluggish stream, with its fertile banks, where James- 
town weeds and sunflowers grow to a prodigious height. It was 
in the '50s that there came from Missouri a young farmer and his 
wife, John and Sarah Lee. John was one of those Free-State men 
who had to leave Missouri to save his life. They were two good, 
Christian people, belonging to the Methodist Church North. 
They came out from Missouri in a large two-horse wagon, which 
was well loaded with the best of household goods. Sarah had 
been very industrious all her life, and had furnished their house 
most comfortably. Quilts of neat patchwork, large, neat beds of 
new feathers which she had picked from her own geese, soft, white 
woolen blankets of her own make, were carefully packed in a 
large cherry chest. And the china and cutlery were the neatest 
of any household in Jackson county, Missouri, from whence they 
came to Kansas. 

They pitched a tent on the banks of the Wakarusa, near where 
the Burlingame road now crosses that creek, and began to improve 
the newly-selected home. John took his axe and saw and went into 
the timber to cut down trees to build a house. He worked faith- 
fully for two days, and then, harnessing his gentlest horse, with a 
single-tree attached to the traces, began to "snake" the logs out 
on to a high, rocky knoll which Sarah had selected as the best 
place for their new house. It was June, and the wild flowers 
grew in abundance all over the surrounding yard. When he had 
the logs all on the spot and ready to raise the walls, he saddled one 
of his horses and rode some five miles over the prairie to the Bur- 
nett settlement, where he asked two or three men to come and 
help him raise his house, which they gladly consented to do. In 
those days the frontier neighbors were far apart, but they were 
"good Samaritans." The house was up ami covered in two weeks, 
and they moved in on a dirt floor, with newspapers up at the places 
cut out for windows, and a bed quilt hung for a door. 

John had to leave the house in this condition until he could 
plow and plant a field of corn. Some ten acres were broken in 
the second bottom, which was covered with tall grass and sumach 
bushes. Sarah was not idle during all this time. They had 



TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 185 

brought a cow and calf with thefn, and some chickens. She took 
care of the cow by lariating her out on the prairie, and tied the 
calf to the wagon near the house. - The chickens were cooped at 
night in a large box to keep the wolves from catching them. Wild 
gooseberries grew in abundance along the banks of the creek;, 
she gathered a large quantity of these and preserved them in stone 
jugs and jars. She knew nothing then of sealing wax, or self- 
sealing cans, but filled the vessels with berries, poured cold water 
in till they were covered, tied the mouth over tightly with thick 
paper and set them in a cool corner of the house, where they kept 
nicely till winter. 

When autumn came they had a comfortable house, and a log 
stable and hen house had also been added to the buildings. Rail 
pens, well filled with small corn still in the husk stood near the 
stable, and the entrance between had been covered over and the 
north end boarded up, affording a good shelter for "bossy" and her 
calf. 

The winter was long and dreary to those two living away from 
every human being. No church; not even a neighbor to talk to 
for weeks. They took the New York Weekly Tribune, and every 
Saturday afternoon John would ride down to Topeka to get the 
mail. They spent their Sundays in reading. 

Two years passed by, and other emigrants came in and settled 
around them, and a log school house was built, which answered 
the purpose of holding meetings in, and once a month Rev. David 
Rice, of Olathe, came and preached for them on Saturday evening, 
and again on the Sabbath at 11 o'clock, returning home on Sunday 
after dinner. The minister had to be entertained during these 
visits, and not one of the settlers was as well able to keep him as 
John and Sarah Lee, they having built an addition to their house, 
with two rooms and plank floors. Their pleasant home was a free 
hotel or inn for all lonely travelers of the Methodist sect who 
came to the Wakarusa settlement, and as the settlement grew, the 
more company of this kind John Lee and his wife had; but no 
pay or even thanks was offered. That was expected of them, and 
not one of the neighbors once thought of saying, "We should take 
some of our visiting brethren." 

A few years passed, and a large number of members had been 
added to the class; a camp meeting was held in the grove near 
John Lee's farm, which had grown from ten acres to one hundred 



I 86 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

and twenty. A large frame barn had been built in the corner of 
the barn yard, and a neat frame house was next built some distance 
from the old cabin. "Though not used now," John said, "we 
will leave the cabin, Sarah, just as long as it will stand, for the 
good it has already done." 

The first camp meeting was begun and ended. It would be 
safe to say that John and his wife fed twenty persons each day 
during the four weeks the meeting lasted, and the next year the 
same number; but before the third year rolled around, John Lee 
had sickened and died. Many months he lay suffering with a 
cancer. His money was gone; his stock was sold, as necessity de- 
manded, to pay the expenses. At last the home place was mort- 
gaged, and John died, leaving the fond wife alone and almost 
penniless. She contracted a fever and lingered many months. 
When she recovered, the farm had been sold, and she moved back 
into the old log cabin, which stood on ten acres that had been set 
aside by the good-hearted mortgagee for her. She was now 
broken in health and in spirits. Dark storms of sorrow had made 
her once auburn hair white before age came. A nephew came to 
live with her; one of those easy going boys from southern Mis- 
souri, who cared not how or when his work was done if he could 
but get away on Saturday afternoons to play ball, that being his 
sole ambition. He managed to earn enough to keep them alive, 
and that was all. Sarah was now known as Mrs. Lee, or "Old 
Lady Lee." Her company and friends of other days had forsaken 
her. She scarcely had clothing to keep her warm, and none suit- 
able to wear to church. The Methodists had become prosperous 
enough to build a chapel, but old Rev. David Rice had become too 
plain for some of the influential members, and was succeeded by a 
haughty young man, who came among them to make Wakarusa 
his home and to teach. He was soon leader of the class, and be- 
gan to look after the interests of the church. He visited the mem- 
bers one and all. He entered the smoky cabin of "Old Lady Lee." 
On the table was her Bible, where she had laid it a few mo- 
ments before. He picked it up and read a chapter, knelt down 
and offered a short prayer, but asked no questions, and bade her 
good morning. In a few days she was notified that if she did not 
attend class her name would be erased from the class book. How 
could she go? Not even a decent shawl or sunbonnet; she had 
parted with her household goods until she had nothing to sell to 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 1 87 

buy her a calico dress. Her name erased from the church book 
because she was too poor to pay her dues and attend class meetings! 
Her trials had been almost unendurable, but now that blow was 
too much for her frail body. She wept for days, with no one to 
comfort her. She grew faint and sick, and finally took to her bed, 
never to rise again. Her name was erased at the following Sat- 
urday meeting, and on Sunday her spirit had taken its flight to 
the better world. She had gone to meet her Class Leader at the 
foot of the great white throne, who had already written her name 
in words of gold, and said, "Well done, thou faithful servant." 
Methinks I see her angel face shining through all these long years. 
I hear her voice in the good old hymns of the past. But where is 
the one who erased her name from that class book on earth? 
Kind reader, do you think he prospered ? No ! God sent misfor- 
tune and sickness upon him and his family, and while yet in his 
youth he was taken away from earth, and soon forgotten only by 
his evil deeds. And when it was too late, the church said, "We 
should erect a marble slab to the memory of John and Sarah Lee, 
the pioneer Methodists of Wakarusa." 



MEXICO'S EX-PRESIDENT. 

r Passing the Santa Fe depot, May 6, 1889, as the west-bound train pulled up to 
the platform, our attention was drawn to the beautiful Pullman coach, "The Wild- 
wood » It was draped in mourning, and a half dozen Mexican regulars, and the 
same number of United States soldiers, stood guard around the coach while the 
train waited for dinner. On the platform, walking to and fro, were several Mexi- 
can officials; they were fine-looking gentlemen, and, on making inquiry, we learned 
that the coach contained the remains of ex-President Lerdo, of Mexico, who had 
recently died in New York. He was President of his own country, and was re- 
elected, but the election was disputed by one of the judges, who claimed the right 
to hold the office, and Lerdo was driven from his home, his country and friends; 
compelled to flee for his life. He sought refuge and found a home in New York, 
in 1876 But, unlike most unfortunates in the high circles of society, he did not 
lose all his friends because he had lost his position and a great amount of his 
wealth. There was one who followed him, and now lives to mourn his death It 
is the Hon. Manuel Romero Rubio, the father-in-law of the present President, 
Diaz Romero Rubio followed Mr. Lerdo to New York, and remained with him 
some months. Seeing that he could not benefit his friend, he returned to Mexico. 
They had been friends in years of prosperity, and Mr. Rubio proved one in ad- 
versity. When Mr. Lerdo died, in April, 1889, at his home in New \ork the 
Mexican government sent for his remains. When they reached the C.ty of Mex- 



1 88 TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

ico, great demonstrations were made. Eight or ten thousand soldiers and thou- 
sands of citizens followed his remains to their last resting place. Speeches were 
made denouncing the government in its treatment of Lerdo.] 

See the " Wildwood," 'tis a funeral coach to-day, 
Bound for a land beyond the Rio Grande, 
And armed sentinels around it stand. 
Why thus these soldiers their vigils keep? 
Is that form within a comrade's bier? 
No, they are soldiers of a southern land, 
Guarding their nation's dead; 
Lerdo, their ruler once, now lies asleep 
Within that funeral car. 

A nation's ruler was he, now still in death, 
A man of noble worth and worldly wealth, 
A learned judge of nation's laws. 
He sat not upon a blood-bought throne, 
But, like a father of a Christian home, 
His people gave him the honored chair. 
He taught them, too, of higher laws, 
And bowed before the holy shrine — 
He who sleeps within that funeral car. 

Tyrants, but not of the Spanish crown, 
Cried, "Away with him! Let's trample him down!" 
Far from the Montezuma's tombs, 
Where the orange perpetual blooms, 
Far, far from his southern home 
That hero was exiled, a stranger to roam; 
'Neath the star spangled banner he came. 
Till his feet grew weary, his work was done — 
He lies within that funeral car. 

They carry him back with a Spanish pride, 
That soldier of honor. While by his side, 
With glittering sabres and arms reversed, 
They guard him now, whom once they cursed. 
They carry him back, that the world may know 
That he is gone forever; once the nation's chief, 
Lies cold in death, his life's work o'er; 
They '11 carry him back with honor now, 
He who sleeps within that funeral car. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 1 89 

See the "Wild wood." 'T is in a southern land, 
And armed sentinels around it stand. 
Hark! the mournful strains of music rise 
And vibrate on the summer air; 
Thousands of soldiers are marching there 
To that martial music; 'tis a funeral dirge; 
In glittering armor they -come; they halt, they weep; 
'T is their nation's ruler once, now lies asleep 
Within that funeral car. 

But hush! See those legions bowed in prayer! 
They now renew their vows of vengeance there, 
And call upon a higher power than that of Rome 
To give them justice for their ruler's sake; 
They ask in the name of the Holy Virgin, too, 
To bless Romero Rubio, who weeping stands 
Beside the lifeless form of Lerdo there; 
Rubio, who was loyal to his country and to him 
Who lies within that funeral car. 

Slowly they wend their way to the silent tomb, 
And there, amid burning tapers and rare perfume, 
In costly robes, and wreaths upon his brow, 
They lay him away with honor now. 
Yes, they have laid him away, that exiled chief, 
And two nations mourn the departed one; 
We of Columbia, his adopted home, 
Paid a tribute to that learned judge, 
And laid him in the funeral car. 



MISS NETTIE COBEAN. 

[During the years of 1878 and 1879 the author was engaged in teaching in the 
public schools of Coffey county, Kansas. During that time she taught at the vil- 
lage of Strawn, a station on the M. K. & T. Railroad, situated on the south bank 
of the Neosho river. Among the many acquaintances made there was Miss Nettie 
Cobean, a young lady of some twenty summers. She was one of the most charm- 
ing women the writer has ever met. She was beautiful, a brunette, and her charm- 
ing manners and disposition were still more fascinating. After returning home, a 
correspondence was kept up. Nettie married a young attorney, O. P. Mills, and 



I9C TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

moved to Leroy, Kansas, where she died in 1882, leaving a fond husband and 
a sweet baby to mourn her loss, besides a host of friends and acquaintances. 
These lines were addressed to her in 1879, and the last one changed in 1889. 

Far away on the beautiful Neosho, 

Where the wild jasmine and silver weeds grow, 

There, near to that beautiful stream, 

Is the home of Miss. Nettie Cobean. 

When the names of my friends I recall, 

There is one that is dearer than all, 

Who waits for me there by that beautiful stream, * 

'T is Miss Nettie Cobean. 

And often alone by the river we stray, 
To gather the first budding spray; 
•But alas! 'tis only a fast-fleeting dream, 
That I wander again with Nettie Cobean. 

On the bridge, near the tall willow tree, 
I fancy I see her waiting for me; 
While I' m sitting here by the window alone, 
And she in her far distant home. 

But each day brings an evergreen spray, 
In memories of those far away; 
And the brightest and most beautiful green, 
Is the one for Miss Nettie Cobean. 

Each heart has its flowers, we know, 

If planted and nourished below, 

And love is the one I have seen 

So tenderly nourished by Nettie Cobean. 

Now away on the beautiful Neosho, 

Where the wild jasmine and silver weeds grow, 

There, near to that beautiful stream, 

Is the grave of my Nettie Cobean. 



ETHEL MOORE. 

Ethel Moore, as fair as the beautiful snow, 

Sat arrayed in her bridal robes, 
While she watched the tidal waves below, 

That washed the shores of her childhood home. 



TOPEKA PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 19 I 

There brightly shone on her soft, white hand 
A glittering ring; 'twas a mother's gift; 

And a diamond flashed on that golden band 
That so brightly shone on Ethel's hand. 

She was happy then; but a villain man 

Only loved that fair young bride 
Till a prisoner, in his demon hands, 

He made her there on their wedding day. 

Years slowly flew on weary wings 

O'er Ethel Moore, that fair young bride; 

Her home was changed by the Atlantic shore, 
For one near the Marais des Cygnes. 

A low log cabin, with its roof of boards, 

Sheltered Ethel Moore and her three sweet babes, 

And there she toiled till evening shades 
Fell on her brow of life's fair morn. 

But the diamond ring still brightly shone 
On the small, brown hand of Ethel Moore, 

And her heart still yearned for her childhood home — 
That happy home by the Atlantic shore. 

A stranger came to the door one day, 

And paused for a moment, his footsteps stayed, 

And thus he spoke: "Kind lady, to you I say, 
Now heed this plan before you laid." 

For the flashing ring on the small, brown hand 
Engaged his thoughts, and he asked to stay 

To learn of her home in earlier days, 
And the diamond ring her mother gave. 

She sadly told of her youthful days, 

Of her mother there in her mansion home, 

But she did not speak of her wedding day, 
Or the costly ring her mother gave. 

"Whose gift is that on your hand I see?" 
"My mother's, sir, on my wedding day." 
•" Lady, its price will bring your children three 
A handsome home when your life is o'er. 



192 TOPE K A PEN AND CAMERA SKETCHES. 

" Insure your life for a goodly sum, 

For your mother's gift the fee can pay, 
Till your weary life its race has run, 

And then, for your heirs a fortune comes." 

O, life insurance! how the goal is won 
By the loss of one whose life must end. 

'T was then the demon's work began, 
To gain the gold by a murderer's hand. 

A few more days and the ring was sold, 
And gone forever from Ethel's hand, 

To lie for awhile in the case unsold, 

With its glittering gem concealed from view. 

And the villain watched with anxious eyes 

How his plan might break life's golden thread, 

And gain alone the glittering prize 

That the diamond ring had lately bought. 

" Yes, I am going in," was his hoarse reply, 
As he drove o'er the banks of the stream 
Whose dark, foaming waters were high, 
With the fast-floating drifts going by. 

With a low-muttered oath the father drove in, 
And the waves closed o'er that family of five, 

But only a moment inclosed therein 
Did they hold that monster of sin. 

He swam to the shore in a transport of joy, 
And left in the dark, rolling waters below 

The two little girls, the bright-eyed boy, 
And his beautiful bride of years gone by. 

"I'm heir alone of all that's due, 

And will use it well," he smiling said; 

"A mansion fine I'll build in view 

Of the cabin there, with its windows two." 

He did, and a diamond ring, the same, 

Was purchased, too, by that wicked man, 

And placed on the hand of one whose name 
Was blackened, too, by deeds of shame. 



